Alfacalcidol, or 1-alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol or 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D3, is a non-endogenous analogue of [vitamin D].[A234044] It plays an essential function in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. Alfacaldisol is activated by the enzyme 25-hydroxylase in the liver to mediate its effects in the body, or most importantly, the kidneys and bones. The pharmacological actions of alfacalcidol are prolonged than vitamin D because a negative feedback mechanism regulates the final activation step of vitamin D in the kidneys.[A175348,A175351] Alfacalcidol is available in oral and intravenous formulations. In Canada, it is marketed as ONE-ALPHA, which manages hypocalcemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and osteodystrophy in adults with chronic renal failure.[L33284] In approving European countries, alfacalcidol is also indicated for managing nutritional and malabsorptive rickets and osteomalacia, vitamin D-dependent rickets and osteomalacia, and hypophosphataemic vitamin D resistant rickets and osteomalacia.[L33364,L33369]
Alfacalcidol is indicated in adult patients with chronic renal failure for the management of hypocalcemia, secondary hyperparathyroidism, or osteodystrophy.[L33284] Alfacalcidol is indicated in the management of nutritional and malabsorptive rickets and osteomalacia, vitamin D-dependent rickets and osteomalacia, and hypophosphataemic vitamin D resistant rickets and osteomalacia.[L33364,L33369]
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
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