Rocaltrol

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Rocaltrol.

• Side effects occurring early may include:
  Bone pain, constipation, dry mouth, extreme sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, metallic taste, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, weakness

• Side effects occurring later may include:
  Abnormal thirst, apathy, arrested growth, decreased sex drive, dehydration, elevated blood cholesterol levels, excessive urination, extremely high body temperature, high blood pressure, inflamed eyes, intolerance to light, irregular heartbeat, itchy skin, kidney problems, loss of appetite, nighttime urination, runny nose, sensory disturbances, urinary tract infections, wasting of muscles or other tissues, weight loss, yellowish skin

Excessive amounts of vitamin D may cause abnormally high calcium levels in the blood.

Why should Rocaltrol not be prescribed?

You should not use Rocaltrol if you have high blood levels of calcium, or if you have vitamin D poisoning. You should also avoid Rocaltrol if it, or any similar drug, has given you an allergic reaction in the past.

Special warnings about Rocaltrol

You should not take additional doses of vitamin D while taking Rocaltrol. People who are on dialysis should not take antacids containing magnesium while taking Rocaltrol.

Your doctor will monitor your calcium levels while you are taking Rocaltrol because excessive calcium levels can be very dangerous. If this problem develops, your doctor will need to stop Rocaltrol therapy temporarily and prescribe a lower dose when treatment resumes.

While taking Rocaltrol, you should have an adequate daily intake of calcium (at least 600 milligrams a day), either from foods (such as milk and dairy products) or from a calcium supplement. Your doctor will estimate your daily calcium intake before you take this drug to see if you will require more calcium.