Calcitriol Dosage
Generic name: calcitriol (oral/injection)
Brand names: Calcijex, Rocaltrol
Dosage forms: injectable solution (1 mcg/mL); oral capsule (0.25 mcg; 0.5 mcg); oral liquid (1 mcg/mL)
Drug class: Vitamins
Medically reviewed by A Ras MD.
Recommended Adult Dosing
Dosage forms: CAP: 0.25 mcg, 0.5 mcg; SOL: 1 mcg per mL; INJ: various
Secondary hyperparathyroidism, pre-dialysis pts
- [0.25-0.5 mcg PO qd]
- Start: 0.25 mcg PO qd, incr. 0.25 mcg/day q4-8wk; Info: for pts w/ mod-severe CRF; see pkg insert for dose adjustments based on Ca and PTH levels; D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
Hypocalcemia, dialysis pts
- [PO route]
- Dose: 0.25-1 mcg PO qd; Start: 0.25 mcg PO qd, incr. 0.25 mcg/day q4-8wk; Alt: 0.25 mcg PO qod if Ca normal or near-normal; Info: see pkg insert for dose adjustments based on Ca levels; D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
- [IV route]
- Dose: 0.5-4 mcg IV 3x/wk; Start: 1-2 mcg IV 3x/wk, incr. 0.5-1 mcg/dose q2-4wk based on response; Info: see pkg insert for dose adjustments based on PTH levels; D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
Hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism-assoc.
- [0.5-2 mcg PO qd]
- Start: 0.25 mcg PO qd, incr. 0.25 mcg/day q2-4wk; Info: for post-surgery, idiopathic, or pseudo-hypoparathyroidism
Rickets, vitamin D-dependent
- [1 mcg PO qd]
Hypophosphatemia, familial
- [2 mcg PO qd]
Renal dosing
- [no adjustment]
- renal impairment: no adjustment
- HD/PD: no adjustment; no supplement
Hepatic dosing
- [not defined]
Recommended Peds Dosing
Dosage forms: CAP: 0.25 mcg, 0.5 mcg; SOL: 1 mcg per mL; INJ: various
Secondary hyperparathyroidism, pre-dialysis pts
[<3 yo]
Dose: 0.01-0.015 mcg/kg/dose PO qd; Start: 0.01 mcg/kg/dose PO qd, incr. 0.005-0.01 mcg/kg/day q4-8wk; Info: for pts w/ mod-severe CRF; D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
[3 yo and older]
Dose: 0.25-0.5 mcg PO qd; Start: 0.25 mcg PO qd, incr. 0.25 mcg/day q4-8wk; Info: for pts w/ mod-severe CRF; D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
Hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism-assoc.
[<1 yo]
Dose: 0.04-0.08 mcg/kg/dose PO qd; Info: for post-surgery or idiopathic hypoparathyroidism; D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
[1-5 yo]
Dose: 0.25-0.75 mcg PO qd; Start: 0.25 mcg PO qd, incr. 0.25 mcg/day q2-4wk; Info: for post-surgery or idiopathic hypoparathyroidism; D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
[6 yo and older]
Dose: 0.5-2 mcg PO qd; Start: 0.25 mcg PO qd, incr. 0.25 mcg/day q2-4wk; Info: for post-surgery, idiopathic, or pseudo-hypoparathyroidism; D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
Hypocalcemia, premature neonates
[1 mcg PO qd x5 days]
*Hypocalcemia, dialysis pts
[PO route, 1-5 yo]
Dose: 0.25-2 mcg PO qd; Start: 0.25 mcg PO qd, incr. 0.25 mcg/day q4-8wk; Alt: 0.25 mcg PO qod if Ca normal or near-normal; Info: D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
[PO route, 6 yo and older]
Dose: 0.25-1 mcg PO qd; Start: 0.25 mcg PO qd, incr. 0.25 mcg/day q4-8wk; Alt: 0.25 mcg PO qod if Ca normal or near-normal; Info: D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
[IV route, 13 yo and older]
Dose: 1-1.4 mcg/wk IV divided 3x/wk; Start: 0.5-1.5 mcg IV 3x/wk; Info: adjust by 0.25 mcg increments based on iPTH, Ca and Ca x PO4; see pkg insert for dose adjustments based on PTH levels; D/C if hypercalcemia or Ca x PO4 product >70, may restart at lower dose once parameters appropriate
Rickets, vitamin D-dependent
[1 mcg PO qd]
Hypophosphatemia, familial
[0.03-0.06 mcg/kg/dose PO qd]
Start: 0.015-0.02 mcg/kg/day; Max: 2 mcg/day
Renal dosing
[no adjustment]
renal impairment: no adjustment
HD/PD: no adjustment; no supplement
Hepatic dosing
[not defined]
SRC: NLM .