calcitriol
Calcitriol is a hormone and the active form of vitamin D, normally made in the kidney. It is also known as 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. It binds to and activates the vitamin D receptor in the nucleus of the cell, which then increases the expression of many genes. Calcitriol increases blood calcium mainly by increasing the uptake of calcium from the intestines.
Key facts
- Drug.Watchedfields
- changed
- Drug.verifiedrevid
- 460772865
- Drug.image
- File:Calcitriol.svg
- Drug.image_class
- skin-invert-image
- Drug.width
- 250
- Drug.image2
- Calcitriol3Dan.gif
- Drug.width2
- 250
- Drug.tradename
- Rocaltrol, Calcijex, Decostriol, others
- Drug.MedlinePlus
- a682335
- Drug.DailyMedID
- Calcitriol
- Drug.pregnancy_AU
- B3
- Drug.routes_of_administration
- By mouth, intravenous
- Drug.ATC_prefix
Article
9 sectionsContents
- Medical use
- Adverse effects
- Mechanism of action
- Biosynthesis and its regulation
- Interactive pathway map
- Metabolism
- History
- Names
- References
Calcitriol is a hormone and the active form of vitamin D, normally made in the kidney. It is also known as 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. It binds to and activates the vitamin D receptor in the nucleus of the cell, which then increases the expression of many genes. Calcitriol increases blood calcium mainly by increasing the uptake of calcium from the intestines.
Calcitriol can be given as a medication for the treatment of osteoporosis, osteomalacia, familial hypophosphatemia, low blood calcium due to hypoparathyroidism, and low blood calcium and hyperparathyroidism due to kidney disease. It can be taken by mouth or by injection into a vein. Excessive amounts or intake can result in weakness, headache, nausea, constipation, urinary tract infections, and abdominal pain. Serious side effects may include high blood calcium and anaphylaxis.