Doxercalciferol (Intravenous)

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 5, 2022.

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Hectorol

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Nutritive Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Vitamin D Analog

Uses for doxercalciferol

Doxercalciferol injection is used to treat secondary hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) in patients with chronic kidney disease who are on dialysis. Hyperparathyroidism is a condition that is caused when the parathyroid glands located in the neck make too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). This hormone helps to control the concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in your blood.

Doxercalciferol is to be given only by or under the direct supervision of a doctor.

Before using doxercalciferol

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For doxercalciferol, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to doxercalciferol or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of doxercalciferol injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of doxercalciferol injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver or heart problems, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving doxercalciferol.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are receiving doxercalciferol, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using doxercalciferol with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Burosumab-twza

Using doxercalciferol with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Digoxin

Interactions with food/tobacco/alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food ...