Alfacip

Alfacip is used to treat softening and deformity of the bones due to lack of calcium (rickets or osteomalacia), low levels of calcium in the blood of newborn babies and changes in bone caused by kidney failure (osteodystrophy). Alfacip Capsule is a supplement used for the treatment of Vitamin D deficiency. It is used to maintain normal calcium levels within the body. It also helps to strengthen the weak bones caused due to lack of Vitamin D.

Product dosage: 0.25 mcg
Package (num)	Per cap	Price	Buy
30	$2.17	$65.00 (0%)	🛒 Add to cart
60	$1.98	$130.00 $119.00 (8%)	🛒 Add to cart
120	$1.88	$260.00 $225.00 (13%)	🛒 Add to cart
240	$1.82	$520.00 $438.00 (16%)	🛒 Add to cart
300	$1.81 Best per cap	$650.00 $544.00 (16%)	🛒 Add to cart

Product dosage: 0.5 mcg
Package (num)	Per cap	Price	Buy
30	$2.23	$67.00 (0%)	🛒 Add to cart
60	$2.03	$134.00 $122.00 (9%)	🛒 Add to cart
120	$1.94	$268.00 $233.00 (13%)	🛒 Add to cart
240	$1.89	$536.00 $453.00 (15%)	🛒 Add to cart
300	$1.88 Best per cap	$670.00 $563.00 (16%)	🛒 Add to cart
Synonyms Alfacalcidol

Alfacip is a high-potency, prescription-only vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplement formulated to address and prevent significant vitamin D deficiency. It is specifically indicated for patients with conditions leading to severe malabsorption or those requiring rapid correction of depleted serum levels. This medication plays a critical role in facilitating intestinal calcium absorption, promoting bone mineralization, and supporting musculoskeletal integrity. Its active metabolite, calcitriol, is essential for patients whose bodies cannot adequately synthesize or utilize vitamin D through standard means.

Features

• Contains the active pharmaceutical ingredient Alfacalcidol, a direct precursor to the active form of vitamin D (calcitriol).
• Available in multiple potencies, including 0.25 mcg and 0.5 mcg soft gelatin capsules, allowing for precise dosage titration.
• Designed for enhanced bioavailability, requiring only a single hydroxylation step in the liver to become active, making it ideal for patients with impaired renal function.
• Manufactured under strict GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) guidelines to ensure pharmaceutical-grade purity, consistency, and stability.
• Presented in blister packs to protect the soft gelatin capsules from light, moisture, and physical damage, preserving product integrity.

Benefits

• Rapid Correction of Deficiency: Effectively and efficiently raises serum vitamin D and calcium levels, helping to alleviate symptoms associated with severe deficiency such as bone pain and muscle weakness.
• Superior Bone Mineralization: Directly supports the body’s ability to build and maintain strong, dense bones by optimizing calcium and phosphate absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.
• Renal Function Independence: Its metabolic pathway is advantageous for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or hypoparathyroidism, as it does not require renal conversion to become biologically active.
• Reduced Fracture Risk: Long-term therapy contributes to improved bone architecture and strength, thereby lowering the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in at-risk populations.
• Musculoskeletal Support: Helps improve muscle function and strength, which can enhance mobility and reduce the risk of falls, particularly in the elderly.

Common use

Alfacip is primarily prescribed for the treatment of established vitamin D deficiency and metabolic bone diseases. Its most frequent applications include management of osteodystrophy in patients with chronic renal failure, where the kidney’s ability to activate vitamin D is compromised. It is also a standard therapy for post-menopausal osteoporosis, often in conjunction with calcium supplements, to prevent further bone loss. Additionally, it is used to treat hypocalcemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with hypoparathyroidism or pseudohypoparathyroidism. It may be indicated for nutritional osteomalacia and rickets that are unresponsive to simpler forms of vitamin D supplementation.

Dosage and direction

Dosage is highly individualized and must be strictly determined by a healthcare professional based on the patient’s serum calcium, phosphate, and creatinine levels, as well as the underlying condition being treated.

• General Adult Dosage: The typical initial dose for most conditions ranges from 1 mcg (0.001 mg) daily. For renal osteodystrophy, doses may start at 0.5 mcg daily.
• Elderly Patients: Often initiated at a lower dose (e.g., 0.25 mcg daily) with careful monitoring due to potential age-related declines in renal function.
• Monitoring: Serum calcium levels must be monitored weekly at the initiation of therapy and following any dosage adjustment. Once stable, monitoring can occur monthly.
• Administration: The soft gelatin capsule should be swallowed whole with a glass of water, preferably with a meal to aid absorption. It should be taken at the same time each day to maintain consistent blood levels.
• Titration: The dose is carefully adjusted to achieve normal serum calcium levels with the lowest effective dose, minimizing the risk of hypercalcemia.

Precautions

• Regular Monitoring is Mandatory: Continuous assessment of serum calcium, phosphate, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, and 24-hour urinary calcium excretion is essential throughout treatment.
• Underlying Conditions: Use with extreme caution in patients with a history of renal stones, hypercalcemia, or hyperphosphatemia. Patients with sarcoidosis are at increased risk of hypercalcemia.
• Concomitant Medication: Inform your physician of all other medications being taken, especially other vitamin D analogs, calcium supplements, thiazide diuretics, or cardiac glycosides like digoxin.
• Hydration: Maintain adequate fluid intake during therapy to help minimize the risk of hypercalcemia and related complications.
• Pregnancy and Lactation: Should only be used if clearly needed and under direct medical supervision, as the effects on the fetus and nursing infant are a consideration.

Contraindications

Alfacip is contraindicated in patients with:

• Known hypersensitivity to Alfacalcidol, cholecalciferol, or any of the excipients in the capsule.
• Diseases or conditions associated with hypercalcemia and/or hypercalciuria (e.g., certain cancers).
• Vitamin D toxicity.
• Severe, unmanaged hyperphosphatemia.

Possible side effect

While generally well-tolerated when dosed correctly, side effects are primarily dose-dependent and related to hypervitaminosis D.

• Common: Early signs of overdose include nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, headache, and mild weakness.
• Serious (Indicative of Hypercalcemia): Polyuria (excessive urination), polydipsia (excessive thirst), metallic taste, vomiting, pronounced muscle or bone pain, cardiac arrhythmias, renal calculi (kidney stones), and in severe cases, nephrocalcinosis (calcium deposits in the kidneys) and soft tissue calcification.
• Patients should be advised to report any of these symptoms to their physician immediately.

Drug interaction

Alfacip has the potential for significant interactions:

• Thiazide Diuretics: (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide) may potentiate the risk of hypercalcemia by reducing urinary calcium excretion.
• Cardiac Glycosides: (e.g., digoxin) Hypercalcemia may potentiate the effects of digoxin, increasing the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. Monitoring of digoxin levels is crucial.
• Cholestyramine/Mineral Oil: May reduce the intestinal absorption of Alfacalcidol.
• Magnesium-containing Antacids: Concomitant use should be avoided in patients on chronic renal dialysis due to the risk of hypermagnesemia.
• Other Vitamin D Analogs: Concomitant use is contraindicated due to the additive risk of hypervitaminosis D and hypercalcemia.

Missed dose

• If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as it is remembered on the same day.
• If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped. The regular dosing schedule should be resumed.
• Do not double the dose to make up for a missed one, as this significantly increases the risk of hypercalcemia.

Overdose

Vitamin D overdose leads to hypercalcemia, which is a medical emergency.

• Symptoms: Severe manifestations include dehydration, renal failure, pancreatitis, psychosis, and coma.
• Treatment: Requires immediate medical attention. Treatment involves immediate withdrawal of Alfacip, a low-calcium diet, hydration with saline diuresis, and in severe cases, administration of loop diuretics, corticosteroids, calcitonin, or bisphosphonates. Hemodialysis against a calcium-free dialysate may be necessary.

Storage

• Store below 25°C (77°F) in the original blister package.
• Protect from light and moisture.
• Keep out of reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiration date printed on the packaging.

Disclaimer

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any new treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. The information provided is based on the product’s general characteristics and may not be applicable to every individual.

Reviews

• “As a nephrologist, Alfacip is a cornerstone of managing renal osteodystrophy in my practice. Its predictable pharmacokinetics allow for excellent control of my patients’ mineral metabolism.” – Dr. E. Sharma, MD.
• “After being diagnosed with severe osteoporosis post-menopause, my bone density scans have shown significant improvement over two years of Alfacip and calcium therapy. The regular blood tests are a necessary part of ensuring safety.” – Patient, 68.
• “The need for constant monitoring of calcium levels cannot be overstated. While highly effective, this is not a medication for casual use. It requires a disciplined approach from both the clinician and the patient.” – Clinical Pharmacist.
• “Prescribing Alfacip demands respect for its potency. When used correctly, the results for patients with refractory vitamin D deficiency are remarkable, but vigilance against hypercalcemia is paramount.” – Endocrinologist.