Calcitriol Capsules for chronic renal disease, also known as chronic kidney disease, in dog and cats.

Why has my veterinarian prescribed this medicine?

Calcitriol is used to regulate calcium levels in the blood. It is a Vitamin D analogue that promotes the absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract. It may be used to treat calcium deficiency associated with hypoparathyroidism. It has also been used to reduce parathyroid hormone concentrations in dogs with chronic kidney disease.

How do I give this medication?

• Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinarian.READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
• If the medicine is a liquid, measure the dose with reasonable care.
• Try to give this medication at about the same time(s) each day.
• DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed.
• DO NOT give the medicine more often than directed.
• Try not to miss giving any doses since symptoms may rapidly redevelop.
• DO NOT stop giving this medication to your pet without first consulting the veterinarian. Contact your veterinarian ahead of time if your pet requires medication refills.

What do I do if I miss giving a dose?

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once.

How do I store this medicine?

• Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
• Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight.
• Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.

Are there any potential side effects?

• If your pet receives too much medication, the calcium levels in the blood may get too high. If this occurs, your pet will exhibit the following symptoms: excessive urination, excessive thirst and diminished appetite. If this occurs, contact your veterinarian.
• If calcium levels are too low, your pet may develop muscle tremors, twitching, weakness, stiff movement, trouble coordinating muscle activity, changes in behavior or seizures. Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any of these side effects.
• Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.

What are the possible drug interactions?

• Make sure to tell your veterinarian what other medication or supplements you are giving to your pet.
• Quite often, your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, even if a drug interaction may occur. In this case, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
• The following medications when given with calcitriol: magnesium containing antacids, thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, phenytoin, barbiturates or primidone, verapamil, digoxin, mineral oil, sucralfate, cholestyramine, colestipol
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.

Calcitriol (Rx)

Trade Names:

Rocaltrol®

General Description:

Calcitriol has been prescribed to your pet to treat chronic kidney disease or low blood calcium. The product has been specially compounded for your pet as there is no commercially-available product sized to fit dogs and cats.

What is this drug?

• 'Active' Vitamin D
• Given by mouth

Reasons for prescribing:

• To treat low blood calcium
• Used in the treatment of chronic kidney disease

What dogs/cats should not take this medication?

• Pets with high blood calcium or phosphorus levels
• Pets with Vitamin D toxicosis or malabsorption syndromes
• If your pet has had an allergic reaction to calcitriol or like products

Directions:

Read and follow the label carefully.

Give the exact amount prescribed and only as often as directed. It is usually given once or twice daily and may be used long-term.

May be given with or without food.

Give this medication for as long as veterinarian directs. Do not skip doses or stop giving the medication without consulting your veterinarian.

Baseline blood work to assess your pet's health before starting this drug is recommended. Periodic blood work to monitor its effect is also advised if long-term therapy is necessary. Dose adjustments will be made based upon the results and an assessment of how your pet is responding clinically.

Call ahead for refills.

Ideally, give the medication at the same time(s) daily.

What if a dose is missed?

If a dose is missed, give it as soon as you can. If it is time already for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to the normal schedule. Do not give two doses at the same time.

What to tell/ask veterinarian before giving medication?

Talk to your veterinarian about:

• When will your pet need to be rechecked
• What tests may need to be performed prior to and during treatment with this drug
• What are the risks and benefits of using this drug

Tell your veterinarian about:

• If your pet has experienced side-effects on other drugs/products
• If your pet has experienced digestive upset now or ever
• If your pet has experienced liver or kidney disease now or ever
• If your pet has experienced any other medical problems or allergies now or ever
• All medicines and supplements that you are giving your pet or plan to give your pet, including those you can get without a prescription. Your veterinarian may want to check that all of your pet's medicines can be given together.
• If your pet is pregnant or nursing or if you plan to breed your pet

Storage and Warnings:

Unless otherwise labeled, store in a tight, light resistant, childproof container in a cool, dry place at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight.

Keep this and all medication out of reach of children and pets.

Call your physician immediately if you accidentally take this product.

Potential side effects:

• Too high a calcium level: if your pet begins drinking a lot of water, urinates more frequently, has muscle tremors, shows weakness, depression, listlessness and/or loss of appetite, notify your veterinarian.
• If you notice any of these symptoms or anything else unusual, contact your veterinarian

Can this drug be given with other drugs?

• Yes, but possible interactions may occur with antacids, corticosteroids, digoxin, liver enzyme inhibitors, mineral oil, phosphate binders containing calcium, thiazide diuretics, sucralfate and verapamil
• If your pet experiences any unusual reactions when taking multiple medications, contact your veterinarian.

Overdosing?

Contact your veterinarian immediately if pet receives more than the prescribed amount.

What else should I know?

Notify your veterinarian if your animal's condition does not improve or worsens despite this treatment.

As with all prescribed medicines, calcitriol should only be given to the pet for which it was prescribed. It should be given only for the condition for which it was prescribed.

This is just a summary of information about calcitriol. If you have any questions or concerns about calcitriol or the condition it was prescribed for, contact your veterinarian.