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Written By ,
Reviewed By Bayyarapu Mahesh Kumar , M Pharmacy
Last Updated Nov 23, 2024 | 4:46 PM IST

Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is used to treat low blood calcium levels associated with various conditions. It helps increase calcium levels and provides essential nutrients to maintain bone health. In some cases, this medicine may cause side effects such as constipation or stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, and tiredness. Let the doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking any other medication, or have any pre-existing medical conditions.

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About Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule

Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is used to treat low blood calcium levels (hypocalcaemia) in patients undergoing dialysis for chronic renal failure. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule effectively treats various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), and hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone). Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is also indicated in the treatment of psoriasis (a skin disease that causes itchy scaly patches), hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels in the blood) and hypomagnesaemia (low levels of magnesium in the blood) after small bowel resection. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule can also be given to pregnant, nursing, and postmenopausal women to get enough calcium. Additionally, Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and metabolic bone disease in people with chronic kidney disease, surgery, or other conditions.

Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule consists of three medicines: Calcium (mineral), Calcitriol (Vitamin D3), and Zinc sulfate (mineral). Calcium is a mineral that is used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency. It provides essential nutrients to maintain bone formation and maintenance. Calcitriol is a synthetic version of Vitamin D3 and treats calcium deficiency with hypoparathyroidism (the parathyroid gland's decreased activity) and metabolic bone diseases in people with chronic kidney failure. It raises Vitamin D levels and thereby increases calcium levels in the blood. This helps in improving the absorption rate of calcium from the intestine. Zinc sulfate is a mineral that has an essential role in bone health. Zinc helps to stimulate osteoblastic bone formation and mineralization.

Take Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule as recommended by your doctor. In some cases, Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule can cause side effects like constipation or stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, tiredness, fast or pounding heartbeat, bone/muscle pain, and headache. Most of these side effects of Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.

If you are known to be allergic to Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule or its inactive components, please inform your doctor. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when the doctor advises. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule may pass into the breast milk. Hence, breastfeeding mothers need to seek medical advice before starting Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule. Do not take Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule if you have renal failure, Hypervitaminosis D(excess of vitamin D), Nephrolithiasis/nephrocalcinosis (kidney stones). Inform your doctor if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, sarcoidosis (growth of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body), Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease), Whipple's disease (bacterial infection affecting joints and digestive system), low levels of bile, and phosphate imbalance. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule may contain sugar or sorbitol; hence, caution should be taken to have sugar intolerance, diabetes, and phenylketonuria (increased levels of an amino acid called phenylalanine).

Uses of Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule

Treatment of Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal osteoporosis, Osteomalacia, Rickets, Calcium deficiency, Tetany and Hypoparathyroidism.

Medicinal Benefits

Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is a combination of three drugs: Calcium (mineral), Calcitriol (Vitamin D3), and Zinc sulfate (mineral) used to treat low blood calcium levels and various associated conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone), and tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels). Calcium is a mineral and prevents or treats calcium deficiency. It helps to maintain bone and teeth health. Calcitriol, a synthetic form of Vitamin D3, treats calcium deficiency with hypoparathyroidism (the parathyroid gland's decreased activity) and metabolic bone diseases in people with chronic kidney failure. Zinc sulfate is an important mineral in the normal growth and development of the skeletal system. It helps maintain bone density by increasing protein synthesis, which helps protect bone health.

Directions for Use

Swallow it as a whole with water; do not crush, break or chew it.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule

  • Constipation
  • Stomach pain
  • Fast or pounding heartbeat
  • Bone or muscle pain

Drug Warnings

Please inform your doctor if you are allergic to Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule or any other medicines. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when the doctor advises. Calcitriol in higher doses may harm the fetus. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule may pass into the breast milk; hence consult your doctor before taking Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule if you are a breastfeeding mother. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule should be used with caution in children and only if advised by a doctor. Calcitriol in Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule can affect growth in children. Inform your doctor if your child is not growing normally while using the Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is not recommended if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), metastatic calcification (extra deposits of calcium in the body), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food).

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interactions: Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule may interact with calcium supplements (ergocalciferol, cholecalciferol), steroid medicines (hydrocortisone, prednisolone), central nervous system stimulants (dextroamphetamine, amphetamine), anti-depressants (duloxetine), minerals (ferrous sulfate), anti-ulcer drugs (ranitidine), synthetic thyroid hormone (levothyroxine), painkillers (aspirin), antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline), quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), weight-loss drugs (orlistat), and anti-cancer medication (estramustine).

Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks, and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is contraindicated in hypercalcemia (high calcium level in blood), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D level in the body), Vitamin D toxicity, malabsorption syndrome, heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones.

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List

  • CHOLECALCIFEROL
  • ERGOCALCIFEROL
  • HYDROCORTISONE
  • PREDNISOLONE
  • DEXTROAMPHETAMINE
  • AMPHETAMINE
  • DULOXETINE
  • FERROUS SULPHATE
  • RANITIDINE
  • LEVOTHYROXINE
  • ASPIRIN
  • DOXYCYCLINE
  • MINOCYCLINE
  • CIPROFLOXACIN
  • LEVOFLOXACIN
  • ORLISTAT
  • ESTRAMUSTINE

Habit Forming

No

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese, or milk-based custard in your regular diet.
  • Eat a serving of broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables.
  • Snack on calcium-rich nuts like Brazil nuts or almonds.
  • Sprinkle sesame seeds over your food, vegetables, and salads. Sesame seeds are high in calcium.
  • Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks, and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.
  • Replace the meat with tofu or tempeh for extra calcium in your food.

Special Advise

  • Clinical monitoring of serum electrolyte concentrations and cardiac function is recommended.
  • A low phosphate diet is recommended to control serum phosphorus levels in dialysis patients.

Disease/Condition Glossary

Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens and brittle bones by decreasing bone density.  As bones become less dense, they weaken and are more likely to break. Breaking a bone is a serious complication of osteoporosis, especially in older patients. Women are much more likely to develop osteoporosis than men. Signs and symptoms include back pain caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra, loss of height over time, a stooped posture, and a bone that breaks much more easily than expected.

Osteomalacia/Rickets: A bone disease caused by softening and weakening bones in children due to inadequate vitamin D. Adults can experience a similar condition known as osteomalacia. It causes bone pain, poor growth, and weak bones, leading to bone deformities.

Tetany: A disease condition due to low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) in the body that causes cramps and spasms in the hands, feet, and larynx (voice box).

Hypoparathyroidism: It is a disease characterized by low levels of parathyroid hormone. This can cause low calcium levels and trigger tetany.

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Alcohol

Caution

Drinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; hence it is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule.

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Pregnancy

Caution

During pregnancy, use higher doses of Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule than the daily dietary allowance only when the doctor advises. Calcitriol in higher doses may harm the fetus. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before advising Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule.

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Breast Feeding

Caution

Consult your doctor before taking Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule if you are breastfeeding. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule can pass into the breast milk. If Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is used during breastfeeding, please monitor the mother and the infant's serum calcium levels.

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Driving

Caution

It does not impact your ability to drive or operate machinery.

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Liver

Caution

Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule. Hepatic impairment/liver disease can alter certain Vitamin D forms' metabolic and therapeutic activity.

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Kidney

Caution

It is advised to seek a doctor's advice before starting Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule if you have kidney diseases like kidney stones or undergoing dialysis. Calcitriol in Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule increases inorganic phosphate levels in serum; hence caution should be taken in patients undergoing dialysis to maintain adequate phosphorus levels and avoid ectopic calcification (calcium deposition).

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Children

Caution

Caution should be excercised, and it should be used only if the doctor recommends it.

Country of origin

India
Other Info - ME51224

FAQs

Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is primarily used to treat low blood calcium levels (hypocalcaemia) in patients undergoing dialysis for chronic renal failure. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule effectively treats various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), and hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone). Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is also indicated in the treatment of psoriasis (a skin disease that causes itchy scaly patches), hypocalcaemia (low calcium levels in the blood) and hypomagnesaemia (low levels of magnesium in the blood) after small bowel resection.
Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is a combination of three medicines: Calcitriol, Calcium, and Zinc sulfate. Calcitriol helps your body absorb Calcium Carbonate and supports the muscles needed to avoid falls. Calcium and Zinc sulfate help build and maintain bones. Collectively, Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule used to treat osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone), and tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels).
Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is used to increase low calcium levels in the body. Hence, it is not advised to use Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule during hypercalcemia since it causes an overdose of calcium, leading to kidney stones and other effects.
Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule can cause kidney stones due to excess calcium deposition when used for a prolonged period. Please consult your doctor before taking Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule as a daily supplement if you have kidney problems or a history of kidney stones.
Common side effects of Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule include constipation, stomach pain, loss of appetite, fast or pounding heartbeat, and bone or muscle pain.
Do not take it if you are allergic to Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule or other ingredients present in Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is not recommended in hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), metastatic calcification (extra deposits of calcium in the body), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food), and renal failure.
Leafy greens like collard greens and kale, oranges, figs, milk, yoghurt and cheese are rich in calcium and vitamin D3. Seeds, nuts, beans, seafood and meat are rich in zinc.
Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule helps maintain bone and teeth health. It aids the normal growth and development of the skeletal system.
Please consult the doctor if you are pregnant or think you are pregnant. Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule should be used during pregnancy if advised by the doctor.
Yes, Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule is a supplement that helps maintain bone health. It provides essential nutrients that support bone development.
Avoid exceeding the recommended dose as it could lead to an overdose. Symptoms of overdose may include high calcium in blood/urine, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and restlessness. If you experience these symptoms or suspect you have taken an overdose, seek immediate medical attention.
Store Medcaltrol Soft Gelatin Capsule at room temperature, in a dry place. Keep it out of sight and reach of children.

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