Doxercalciferol

Pronunciation: dox-ehr-kal-SIFF-eh-role
Generic Name: Doxercalciferol
Brand Name: Hectorol

Doxercalciferol is used for:

Lowering elevated parathyroid hormone levels in patients undergoing kidney dialysis.

Doxercalciferol is a synthetic form of vitamin D. It works by promoting the proper absorption and use of calcium and phosphate by the body, as well as normal bone development and maintenance. It also helps regulate parathyroid hormone levels and is involved in magnesium metabolism.

Do NOT use Doxercalciferol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Doxercalciferol


• you have a tendency toward high calcium levels or evidence of vitamin D overdose (eg, weakness, headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, muscle pain, bone pain, metallic taste, loss of appetite)


• you have high levels of calcium, phosphate, or vitamin D in your blood

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Doxercalciferol:

Some medical conditions may interact with Doxercalciferol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have hardening of the arteries, heart problems, liver disease, or if you are on kidney dialysis

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Doxercalciferol. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Magnesium-containing antacids because the risk of high blood magnesium levels may be increased


• Erythromycin or ketoconazole because the effectiveness of Doxercalciferol may be decreased


• Digoxin because the risk of its side effects may be increased by Doxercalciferol


• Glutethimide or phenobarbital because they may increase the risk of Doxercalciferol's side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Doxercalciferol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Doxercalciferol:

Use Doxercalciferol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• An extra patient leaflet is available with Doxercalciferol. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.


• Doxercalciferol is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Doxercalciferol at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Doxercalciferol. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.


• Do not use Doxercalciferol if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.


• Do not take an antacid that has magnesium in it while you are using Doxercalciferol.


• Use Doxercalciferol regularly to receive the most benefit from it.


• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.


• If you miss a dose of Doxercalciferol, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Doxercalciferol.

Important safety information:

• Doxercalciferol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Doxercalciferol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Check with your doctor before taking any medicine, including vitamins, containing vitamin D while you are taking Doxercalciferol.


• Follow the diet and exercise program given to you by your health care provider.


• Lab tests, including calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphate, and parathyroid hormone blood levels or urine calcium levels, may be performed while you use Doxercalciferol. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Doxercalciferol should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Doxercalciferol while you are pregnant. It is not known if Doxercalciferol is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Doxercalciferol.

Possible side effects of Doxercalciferol:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abscess; difficulty sleeping; joint pain; stomach upset; weight gain.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; excessive thirst; excessive urination; headache; irregular heartbeat; itching; loss of appetite; metallic taste; muscle or bone pain; nausea; seizures; shortness of breath; slow heartbeat; swelling; vomiting; weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Doxercalciferol side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include constipation; drowsiness; dry mouth, gums, or eyes; excessive thirst; excessive urination; fever; severe or persistent headache, dizziness, or blurred vision; irregular heartbeat; loss of appetite; metallic taste; mood or mental changes; nausea; ringing in the ears; seizures; sensitivity to light; severe stomach or back pain with nausea and vomiting; unusual tiredness or weakness; weight loss.

Proper storage of Doxercalciferol:

Store Doxercalciferol at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep Doxercalciferol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Doxercalciferol, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Doxercalciferol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Doxercalciferol. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Doxercalciferol resources

• Doxercalciferol Side Effects (in more detail)
• Doxercalciferol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Doxercalciferol Drug Interactions
• Doxercalciferol Support Group
• 0 Reviews for Doxercalciferol - Add your own review/rating

• Doxercalciferol Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Doxercalciferol Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• doxercalciferol Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Hectorol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Hectorol Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare Doxercalciferol with other medications

• Secondary Hyperparathyroidism