doxercalciferol (oral/injection)

What is the most important information I should know about doxercalciferol?

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What is doxercalciferol?

Doxercalciferol is a synthetic (man- made) form of vitamin D. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body.

Doxercalciferol is used to help maintain healthy levels of parathyroid hormone in people with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis.

Doxercalciferol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using doxercalciferol?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• a vitamin D deficiency; or
• high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

If you breast-feed while receiving doxercalciferol injection, watch for signs of hypercalcemia in your baby (such as feeding problems, vomiting, constipation, or seizure).

How should I use doxercalciferol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Doxercalciferol is usually given either once daily or 3 times per week. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

Doxercalciferol oral is taken by mouth.

Doxercalciferol injection is given as an infusion into a vein at the end of dialysis. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Your blood will need to be tested often. Your doses may be delayed based on the results.

Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if this medicine is effective.

What happens if I miss a dose?

What happens if I overdose?

What should I avoid while using doxercalciferol?

What are the possible side effects of doxercalciferol?

• chest pain, slow heartbeats;
• high calcium levels --nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, confusion, lack of energy, weight loss, tiredness;
• signs of infection --fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, warmth, redness, vomiting, diarrhea, pain or burning when you urinate;
• low red blood cells (anemia) --pale skin, feeling light-headed or short of breath, cold hands and feet; or
• dehydration symptoms --feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin.

Common side effects may include:

• numbness, tingling, burning pain;
• infections, not feeling well;
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, cough;
• itching;
• headache, dizziness, weakness;
• depressed mood, trouble sleeping;
• upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, constipation;
• feeling short of breath;
• swelling; or
• muscle stiffness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect doxercalciferol?

Some medicines can make doxercalciferol much less effective when taken at the same time. If you take any of the following medicines, take your oral doxercalciferol dose 1 hour before or 4 to 6 hours after you take the other medicine:

• cholestyramine; or
• mineral oil.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• digoxin;
• an antacid;
• an antibiotic or antifungal medicine;
• a calcium or a vitamin D supplement;
• a diuretic or "water pill"; or
• seizure medicine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect doxercalciferol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about doxercalciferol.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 4.01. Revision date: 12/14/2018.