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|Hectorol

Hectorol

Hectorol is used for:

Lowering elevated parathyroid hormone levels in patients undergoing kidney dialysis.

Hectorol is a synthetic form of vitamin D. It works by promoting the proper absorption and use of calcium and phosphate by the body, as well as normal bone development and maintenance. It also helps regulate parathyroid hormone levels and is involved in magnesium metabolism.

Do NOT use Hectorol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Hectorol
• you have a tendency toward high calcium levels or evidence of vitamin D overdose (eg, weakness, headache, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, muscle pain, bone pain, metallic taste)
• you have high levels of calcium, phosphate, or vitamin D in your blood
• you are taking disulfiram or metronidazole

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Hectorol :

Some medical conditions may interact with Hectorol . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have hardening of the arteries, heart problems, or liver disease

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Hectorol . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Erythromycin or ketoconazole because the effectiveness of Hectorol may be decreased
• Disulfiram or metronidazole because symptoms of alcohol intolerance, such as flushing, headache, fast heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, and trouble breathing, may occur
• Digoxin because risk of its side effects may be increased by Hectorol
• Phenobarbital or glutethimide because they may increase the risk of side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hectorol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Hectorol :

Use Hectorol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Hectorol comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Hectorol refilled.
• Hectorol is usually administered as an injection at your doctor"s office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Hectorol at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• If Hectorol contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Use Hectorol regularly to receive the most benefit from it.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Hectorol , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Hectorol .

Important safety information:

• Hectorol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Hectorol . Using Hectorol alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Check with your doctor before taking any medicine, including vitamins, containing vitamin D while you are taking Hectorol .
• Be sure to follow the diet and exercise program prescribed by your health care provider.
• LAB TESTS, including calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphate, and parathyroid hormone blood levels or urine calcium levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Hectorol is not recommended for use in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Hectorol during pregnancy. It is unknown if Hectorol is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Hectorol .

Possible side effects of Hectorol :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abscess; difficulty sleeping; general body discomfort; indigestion; joint pain; weight gain.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; excessive thirst; excessive urination; headache; irregular heartbeat; itching; loss of appetite; metallic taste; muscle or bone pain; nausea; seizures; slow heartbeat; swelling; vomiting; weakness.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include aches; constipation; depression; diarrhea; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; irregular heartbeat; loss of appetite; metallic taste; nausea; ringing in the ears; seizures; stiffness; vomiting; weakness; weight loss.

Store Hectorol at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep Hectorol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Hectorol , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Hectorol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Hectorol . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.