Etalpha
Etalpha helps your body use calcium and phosphate to keep your bones healthy, treating conditions where calcium levels are out of balance.
Form
kapseli, pehmeä
Strength
0.5 mikrog
Active Ingredient
Alfacalcidol
Manufacturer
Cheplapharm Arzneimittel GmbH
How to Use
Dosage
For adults and children over 20 kg, the starting dose is 1-2 micrograms per day. The maintenance dose is 0.5-2 micrograms per day. For children under 20 kg, the starting dose is 0.05 micrograms per kg per day. Your doctor will adjust the dose based on your condition.
Method
Swallow the capsules whole with plenty of liquid.
Important
The maximum daily dose for adults and children over 20 kg can be up to 6 micrograms per day. For children under 20 kg, your doctor will determine the maximum dose based on their response.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •High calcium levels in the blood
- •High phosphate levels in the blood
- •Stomach pain and discomfort
- •Rash, itching
- •High calcium levels in the urine
RARE
- •Confusion
- •Headache
- •Diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, nausea
- •Muscle pain
- •Kidney problems, including sudden kidney failure
- •Kidney stones, calcium deposits in kidney tissue
- •Tiredness, weakness, feeling unwell
- •Calcification (calcium salt crystallization in tissues)
- •Dizziness
Important Warnings
- Do not take Etalpha if you are allergic to alfakalcidol or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Do not take Etalpha if you have high calcium levels in your blood (hypercalcemia).
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney problems (including kidney stones), hardening of arteries or heart valves, calcium deposits in your lungs, bone disease due to kidney issues, conditions that make you more sensitive to Vitamin D (like sarcoidosis), or a higher risk of irregular heartbeat (if you are taking heart medicine like digitalis glycosides).
- Your blood calcium and phosphate levels will need to be checked regularly while you are taking this medicine.
- Watch for signs of too much calcium in your blood, such as loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhea, frequent urination, sweating, headache, constant thirst, high blood pressure, drowsiness, or dizziness. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.
Show 1 more warnings
- This medicine contains sesame oil, which can cause severe allergic reactions in rare cases.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. Initiation of treatment under supervision by a specialist. (updated 10.6.2024)