Hectorol is a prescription vitamin D medication for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism or SHPT.

What is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is important for strong bones. You get vitamin D from some of the foods you eat, from sunlight being absorbed into your skin, and by taking vitamin supplements. Vitamin D is made “active” by passing through the liver and kidneys, where it is turned into a hormone. Active vitamin D helps balance minerals within your body, such as calcium and phosphorus, and keeps your bones strong.

When you have kidney disease, your kidneys have trouble turning vitamin D into the active hormone. This is when you need additional help replacing active vitamin D and when your physician may prescribe Hectorol.

What is Hectorol?
Hectorol is a prescription vitamin D. It is different from the vitamin D supplements sold in places such as health-food stores and supermarkets because it works without having to go through the kidneys. As a vitamin D, Hectorol helps your body’s minerals stay balanced when you have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

How does Hectorol work?
Hectorol replaces the active vitamin D that your body can’t process because you have CKD. So by taking Hectorol, you help your body balance calcium and phosphorus, control parathyroid hormone (PTH), and keep your bones strong.