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

• Do not take antacids or vitamin or mineral supplements except under the supervision of your doctor.
• Contact your doctor if you experience weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, a metallic taste in your mouth, muscle or bone pain, increased thirst and/ or urination, increased nighttime urination, itching, or decreased appetite. These may be signs of too much calcium in your body.

What is Rocaltrol?

• Rocaltrol 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.
• Rocaltrol is used in the treatment of low levels of calcium in the body of patients on chronic renal dialysis and patients with hypoparathyroidism. Rocaltrol is also used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism and resultant metabolic bone disease in patients with kidney failure who are not yet receiving dialysis.
• Rocaltrol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Rocaltrol?

• You cannot take Rocaltrol if you have high levels of vitamin D or calcium in your body.
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
  • take digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); or
  • take magnesium-containing antacids.
• You may not be able to take Rocaltrol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you take either of the medications listed above.
• Rocaltrol is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Rocaltrol will harm an unborn baby. Do not take Rocaltrol without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
• It is also not known whether Rocaltrol passes into breast milk. However, it is believed that Rocaltrol could harm a baby. Do not take Rocaltrol if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Rocaltrol?

• Take Rocaltrol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the directions on your prescription bottle, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water.
• Swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew or bite them.
• To ensure that you get the correct dose, measure the liquid form of Rocaltrol with the dose-measuring device provided, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring spoon, cup, or dropper, ask your pharmacist for one.
• Your doctor may also prescribe a calcium supplement while taking Rocaltrol. Follow your doctor's instructions.
• Store Rocaltrol capsules and solution at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a Rocaltrol overdose are not known but may include irregular heartbeats, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, decreased appetite, constipation, weakness, headache, or a metallic taste in the mouth.

What should I avoid while taking Rocaltrol?

• Do not take antacids or vitamin or mineral supplements except under the supervision of your doctor.

What are the possible side effects of Rocaltrol?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Rocaltrol and seek emergency medical attention:
  • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
  • an irregular heartbeat; or
  • abdominal pain.
• Other side effects may be signs of too much calcium in your body. Contact your doctor if you experience
  • weakness;
  • headache;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • dry mouth;
  • constipation;
  • a metallic taste in your mouth;
  • muscle or bone pain;
  • increased thirst and/ or urination;
  • increased nighttime urination;
  • itching; or
  • decreased appetite.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Rocaltrol?

• Before taking Rocaltrol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
  • digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
  • a magnesium-containing antacid;
  • cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite);
  • orlistat (Xenical);
  • a thiazide diuretic including hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril, Microzide, Oretic), chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), bendroflumethiazide (Naturetin), hydroflumethiazide (Diucardin, Saluron), methyclothiazide (Enduron, Aquatensen), polythiazide (Renese), and trichlormethiazide (Naqua); or
  • mineral oil.
• You may not be able to take Rocaltrol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Rocaltrol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.