What is Hectorol used for?
Hectorol is used to lower high parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels in patients with Stage 5 chronic kidney
disease on dialysis
Hectorol capsules are also used to lower high parathyroid hormone
in patients with Stage 3 or Stage 4 chronic kidney disease who are not on
dialysis.
Who should not
be treated with Hectorol?
- People with a high level
of calcium in the blood.
- People with signs of extremely
high levels of vitamin D.
Special Warnings
with Hectorol:
Periodic monitoring of your condition by your doctor is
important while being treated with Hectorol.
- Because Hectorol affects the absorption of calcium be the body,
it is important for you and your doctor to be aware of the early symptoms
of too much calcium in your blood, including weakness, headache, excessive
sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, muscle pain, bone
pain and metal taste in your mouth. If you have these symptoms, contact
your doctor right away. Later symptoms include frequent need to urinate,
loss of appetite, weight loss, pink eye, sensitivity
to sunlight, nasal discharge, skin itching, and fever.
General Precautions with Hectorol:
- Do not take Hectorol with magnesium containing antacids, because
these may cause too much magnesium to build up in your body.
- Do not take Hectorol with mineral oil or cholesterol-lowering
drugs containing cholestyramine, because these may
reduce the amount of Hectorol absorbed by your
body.
What should I
tell my doctor or health care provider?
Because certain other medications can interact with Hectorol, review all medications that you are taking with
your health care provider, including those that you take without a
prescription.
Tell your health care provider if you are trying to become
pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
What are some
possible side effects of Hectorol?
(This is NOT a complete list of side effects reported
with Hectorol. Your health care provider can discuss
with you a more complete list of side effects.)
Side effects of Hectorol are, in
general, similar to those of high blood calcium associated with too much
vitamin D intake. Some side effects are:
- Swelling
- Headache
- Generally not feeling
well
- Shortness of breath
- Joint pain
- Weight gain
For more detailed
information about Hectorol, ask your health care
provider.
