Commonly-identified calcitriol side effects include headaches, nausea, and a loss of appetite. If the medication was applied topically, patients might develop allergic reactions, such as skin rashes and itching. In the event of severe reactions to the drug, such as vomiting and unexplained pressure in the chest, patients should seek immediate medical attention. Calcitriol side effects are rarely reported in comparison to those of other drugs, however, as the dosages recommended by doctors are usually too small to cause any harm to an individual's system. Calcitriol drug interactions could potentially be harmful; patients should avoid taking the drug alongside corticosteroids and medications that contain magnesium, among others.
Muscle pains, particularly in the back and near joints, are also commonly-reported calcitriol side effects. The pain could also be referential from the bones, likely as a result of a vitamin D imbalance. Other areas that could experience pain as a result of calcitriol include the stomach and the abdominal muscles. In addition to these symptoms, some patients might feel bouts of physical weakness.
Calcitriol side effects might be present in the nervous system as well. Patients who have experienced adverse effects to calcitriol reported a severe sensitivity to light. Individuals might also display erratic moods and show signs of confused thinking. A number of patients experience increased thirst and cottonmouth, while others might have a constant metallic taste in their mouths. Some patients report a decreased libido, although this might be due to the discomfort generated by other symptoms.
Some bodily functions could be negatively affected by the drug. Some patients, for example, report an increase in the number of times they urinate when undergoing treatment. The amount of urine could be highly irregular, and the act of urinating could prove discomforting. Constipation and diarrhea are both calcitriol side effects as well. Patients might experience sudden and significant drops in their body weight as a result of these and other calcitriol side effects.
In rare cases, some individuals might be allergic to the medication and report more serious side effects. Depending on the type of medication, swelling could occur in the mouth, throat, or skin. This could lead to patients having difficulty breathing.
The risks of calcitriol are increased depending on other medications patients might be on. Doctors, for instance, advise against taking calcitriol if patients are currently taking other vitamin D medications, as an overdose could prove harmful. Cardiac glycosides could have adverse reactions with the drug, causing chest pains and arrhythmia.
