Skip to main content

Drug Interactions between calcitriol and Vitamin D3

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

Edit list (add/remove drugs)

Interactions between your drugs

Major

calcitriol cholecalciferol

Applies to: calcitriol and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

GENERALLY AVOID: Due to a narrow therapeutic index, vitamin D analogs given in combination with each other or with pharmacologic doses of vitamin D may demonstrate additive effects resulting in toxicity manifested as hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and hyperphosphatemia. Progressive hypercalcemia due to overdosage of vitamin D and its metabolites can be dangerous and sufficiently severe as to require emergency attention. Acute hypercalcemia may exacerbate tendencies for cardiac arrhythmias and seizures and may potentiate the action of digitalis drugs. Chronic hypercalcemia can lead to generalized vascular calcification, nephrocalcinosis, and calcifications of the cornea or other soft tissues. Immobilized patients are particularly vulnerable to the risk of hypercalcemia.

MANAGEMENT: Vitamin D analogs should not be used in combination with each other or with pharmacologic doses of vitamin D. Serum calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with a vitamin D analog, especially early in treatment during dosage adjustment. The serum calcium X phosphorus product should be maintained at less than 55 in patients with chronic kidney disease and should not be allowed to exceed 70 in any patient. An estimate of daily dietary calcium intake should be made and the intake adjusted when indicated. Patients should be advised to avoid an abrupt increase in dietary calcium intake, as it may trigger hypercalcemia, and to contact their physician if they experience early symptoms of vitamin D intoxication associated with hypercalcemia such as weakness, fatigue, headache, somnolence, vertigo, tinnitus, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth, metallic taste, muscle pain, bone pain, ataxia, and hypotonia. Late symptoms may include polyuria, polydipsia, weight loss, nocturia, conjunctivitis, photophobia, rhinorrhea, pruritus, hyperthermia, decreased libido, and cardiac arrhythmias. Radiographic evaluation of suspect anatomical regions may be useful in the early detection of hypercalcemia. If hypercalcemia develops, treatment with vitamin D and any calcium product should be stopped immediately.

References (5)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Rocaltrol (calcitriol)." Roche Laboratories
  2. (2001) "Product Information. Zemplar (paricalcitol)." Abbott Pharmaceutical
  3. (2004) "Product Information. Hectorol (doxercalciferol)." Genzyme Corporation
  4. (2004) "Product Information. One-Alpha (alfacalcidol)." Pharmel Inc
  5. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

calcitriol food

Applies to: calcitriol

MONITOR: Additive effects and possible toxicity (e.g., hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and/or hyperphosphatemia) may occur when patients using vitamin D and/or vitamin D analogs ingest a diet high in vitamin D, calcium, and/or phosphorus. The biologically active forms of vitamin D stimulate intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. This may be helpful in patients with hypocalcemia and/or hypophosphatemia. However, sudden increases in calcium or phosphorus consumption due to dietary changes could precipitate hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia. Patients with certain disease states, such as impaired renal function, may be more susceptible to toxic side effects like ectopic calcification. On the other hand, if dietary calcium is inadequate for the body's needs, the active form of vitamin D will stimulate osteoclasts to pull calcium from the bones. This may be detrimental in a patient with reduced bone density.

MANAGEMENT: Given the narrow therapeutic index of vitamin D and vitamin D analogs, the amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D present in the patient's diet may need to be taken into consideration. Specific dietary guidance should be discussed with the patient and regular lab work should be monitored as indicated. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels should be kept within the desired ranges, which may differ depending on the patient's condition. Patients should also be counseled on the signs and symptoms of hypervitaminosis D, hypercalcemia, and/or hyperphosphatemia.

References (10)
  1. (2023) "Product Information. Drisdol (ergocalciferol)." Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC
  2. (2024) "Product Information. Fultium-D3 (colecalciferol)." Internis Pharmaceuticals Ltd
  3. (2024) "Product Information. Ostelin Specialist Range Vitamin D (colecalciferol)." Sanofi-Aventis Healthcare Pty Ltd T/A Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
  4. (2021) "Product Information. Rocaltrol (calcitriol)." Atnahs Pharma UK Ltd
  5. (2019) "Product Information. Calcitriol (calcitriol)." Strides Pharma Inc.
  6. (2024) "Product Information. Calcitriol (GenRx) (calcitriol)." Apotex Pty Ltd
  7. (2022) "Product Information. Ergocalciferol (ergocalciferol)." RPH Pharmaceuticals AB
  8. (2020) "Product Information. Sandoz D (cholecalciferol)." Sandoz Canada Incorporated
  9. Fischer V, Haffner-Luntzer M, Prystaz K, et al. (2024) Calcium and vitamin-D deficiency marginally impairs fracture healing but aggravates posttraumatic bone loss in osteoporotic mice. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-07511-2
  10. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (2024) Vitamin D https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#h37
Moderate

cholecalciferol food

Applies to: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

MONITOR: Additive effects and possible toxicity (e.g., hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and/or hyperphosphatemia) may occur when patients using vitamin D and/or vitamin D analogs ingest a diet high in vitamin D, calcium, and/or phosphorus. The biologically active forms of vitamin D stimulate intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphorus. This may be helpful in patients with hypocalcemia and/or hypophosphatemia. However, sudden increases in calcium or phosphorus consumption due to dietary changes could precipitate hypercalcemia and/or hyperphosphatemia. Patients with certain disease states, such as impaired renal function, may be more susceptible to toxic side effects like ectopic calcification. On the other hand, if dietary calcium is inadequate for the body's needs, the active form of vitamin D will stimulate osteoclasts to pull calcium from the bones. This may be detrimental in a patient with reduced bone density.

MANAGEMENT: Given the narrow therapeutic index of vitamin D and vitamin D analogs, the amounts of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D present in the patient's diet may need to be taken into consideration. Specific dietary guidance should be discussed with the patient and regular lab work should be monitored as indicated. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D levels should be kept within the desired ranges, which may differ depending on the patient's condition. Patients should also be counseled on the signs and symptoms of hypervitaminosis D, hypercalcemia, and/or hyperphosphatemia.

References (10)
  1. (2023) "Product Information. Drisdol (ergocalciferol)." Validus Pharmaceuticals LLC
  2. (2024) "Product Information. Fultium-D3 (colecalciferol)." Internis Pharmaceuticals Ltd
  3. (2024) "Product Information. Ostelin Specialist Range Vitamin D (colecalciferol)." Sanofi-Aventis Healthcare Pty Ltd T/A Sanofi Consumer Healthcare
  4. (2021) "Product Information. Rocaltrol (calcitriol)." Atnahs Pharma UK Ltd
  5. (2019) "Product Information. Calcitriol (calcitriol)." Strides Pharma Inc.
  6. (2024) "Product Information. Calcitriol (GenRx) (calcitriol)." Apotex Pty Ltd
  7. (2022) "Product Information. Ergocalciferol (ergocalciferol)." RPH Pharmaceuticals AB
  8. (2020) "Product Information. Sandoz D (cholecalciferol)." Sandoz Canada Incorporated
  9. Fischer V, Haffner-Luntzer M, Prystaz K, et al. (2024) Calcium and vitamin-D deficiency marginally impairs fracture healing but aggravates posttraumatic bone loss in osteoporotic mice. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-07511-2
  10. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (2024) Vitamin D https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#h37

Therapeutic duplication warnings

Therapeutic duplication is the use of more than one medicine from the same drug category or therapeutic class to treat the same condition. This can be intentional in cases where drugs with similar actions are used together for demonstrated therapeutic benefit. It can also be unintentional in cases where a patient has been treated by more than one doctor, or had prescriptions filled at more than one pharmacy, and can have potentially adverse consequences.

Duplication

Vitamin d analogs

Therapeutic duplication

The recommended maximum number of medicines in the 'vitamin d analogs' category to be taken concurrently is usually one. Your list includes two medicines belonging to the 'vitamin d analogs' category:

  • calcitriol
  • Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

Note: In certain circumstances, the benefits of taking this combination of drugs may outweigh any risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your medications or dosage.

See also

Report options

Loading...
QR code containing a link to this page

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer