INN monograph
Alphacalcidol
Vitamin D analogue (1α-OH) · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Batch A alphabetical research (INN; confirm vs SmPC/local guidelines); PubChem; Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to the active substance or excipients.
- Additional absolute contraindications are indication- and product-specific — consult SmPC.
Precautions
- Obtain allergy and medication history.
- Adjust for renal/hepatic impairment, pregnancy, lactation, extremes of age and interacting drugs.
- Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate duration.
- Monitor for expected class adverse effects.
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
Often 0.25–1 mcg daily titrated to Ca/PTH.
Paediatric
Specialist paediatric.
Renal
Titrate to calcium not CrCl alone.
- CrCl 0–120: See renal_dose_adjustment; confirm product SmPC.
Hepatic
Caution hypercalcaemia.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Professional use: confirm indication, dose, duration, monitoring and patient counselling points against current Kenya STG / EML and the product SmPC.
- Document allergy status and key interactions.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Adverse reactions vary by agent.
- Counsel on common predictable effects and serious warning symptoms (allergy, severe rash, jaundice, unusual bleeding, severe GI symptoms, neurological changes).
- Report suspected ADRs via national pharmacovigilance channels.
Use
Indications
- Renal bone disease
- hypoparathyroidism
- selected rickets.
- Clinical selection for Alphacalcidol should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Vitamin D analogue (1α-OH).
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Pharmacology
Mode of action
Bypasses renal 1α-hydroxylation.
Full mechanism text
Bypasses renal 1α-hydroxylation. Mechanism is agent-specific. At receptor, enzyme, ion channel, transporter or microbial target level, the drug alters a physiological or pathological pathway to produce its therapeutic effect. Confirm precise molecular mechanism in current SmPC / pharmacology reference for this INN before high-stakes decisions.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Product-specific |
|---|---|
| Duration | Product-specific |
| Route | See product SmPC |
| Elimination | are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT |
| Half-life | when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC. |
Full PK/PD text
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion are product-specific. Consider food effects, protein binding, hepatic CYP/UGT metabolism, renal clearance and half-life when adjusting for organ impairment, age and drug interactions. Verify parameters in the current SmPC.
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| No brands linked yet. | |||
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Use only if potential benefit justifies potential risk; prefer agents with better reproductive data when alternatives exist.
Lactation
Assess infant risk vs benefit of maternal therapy; prefer agents with lactation data.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Administration / food notes With or without food.
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Batch A alphabetical research (INN; confirm vs SmPC/local guidelines); PubChem; Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Therapeutic agent (verify pharmacological class))
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.