doxercalciferol

a synthetic analogue of vitamin D₂, used to reduce levels of circulating parathyroid hormone in treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism associated with chronic renal failure; administered orally or intravenously.

doxercalciferol

(dox-er-kal-sif-e-role) ,

Hectorol

(trade name),

vitamin D₂

(trade name) Pregnancy Category: B

Indications

Action

Pharmacokinetics

Time/action profile (effects on serum calcium)

ROUTE	ONSET	PEAK	DURATION
PO	unknown	8 wk	1 wk
IV	unknown	8 wk	1 wk

Contraindications/Precautions

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

Seen primarily as manifestations of toxicity (hypercalcemia)

Central nervous system

• dizziness (most frequent)
• headache (most frequent)
• malaise (most frequent)
• somnolence
• weakness

Ear, Eye, Nose, Throat

• conjunctivitis
• photophobia
• rhinorrhea

Respiratory

• dyspnea (most frequent)

Cardiovascular

• edema (most frequent)
• arrhythmias
• bradycardia
• hypertension

Gastrointestinal

• nausea (most frequent)
• vomiting (most frequent)
• anorexia
• constipation
• dry mouth
• ↑ liver enzymes
• metallic taste
• pancreatitis (life-threatening)
• polydipsia
• weight loss

Genitourinary

• albuminuria
• azotemia
• ↓ libido
• nocturia
• polyuria

Dermatologic

• pruritus

Fluid and Electrolyte

• hypercalcemia

Metabolic

• hyperthermia

Musculoskeletal

• arthralgia
• bone pain
• metastatic calcification
• muscle pain

Interactions

Drug-Drug interaction

Cholestyramine, colestipol, or mineral oil ↓ absorption of vitamin D analogues.Use with thiazide diuretics may result in hypercalcemia.Corticosteroids ↓ effectiveness of vitamin D analogues.Use with digoxin ↑ risk of arrhythmias.Concurrent use of magnesium-containing drugs may lead to hypermagnesemia.Calcium-containing drugs may ↑ risk of hypercalcemia.Concurrent use of other Vitamin D supplements (↑ risk of hypercalcemia).Agents that induce liver enzymes (phenobarbital, rifampin ) and agents that inhibit liver enzymes (atazanavir, clarithromycin, erythromycin, indinavir, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nefazodone, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, verapamil, voriconazole ) may alter requirements for doxercalciferol (monitoring of calcium and phosphorus recommended).Ingestion of foods high in calcium content (see ) may lead to hypercalcemia.

Route/Dosage

Availability (generic available)

Nursing implications

Nursing assessment

• Assess for symptoms of vitamin deficiency prior to and periodically during therapy.
• Assess patient for bone pain and weakness prior to and during therapy.
• Observe patient carefully for evidence of hypocalcemia (paresthesia, muscle twitching, laryngospasm, colic, cardiac arrhythmias, and Chvostek’s or Trousseau’s sign). Protect symptomatic patient by raising and padding side rails; keep bed in low position.
• Lab Test Considerations: Monitor serum ionized calcium, phosphorus, and intact PTH concentrations prior to initiation of therapy and then weekly during the first 12 wk of therapy. Following this, these labs can be monitored periodically. The serum calcium times phosphorus product (Ca X P) should be maintained at <55 mg²/dL².
  • Monitor alkaline phosphatase concentration periodically.
Toxicity is manifested as hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria, and hyperphosphatemia. Assess patient for appearance of nausea, vomiting, anorexia, weakness, constipation, headache, bone pain, and metallic taste. Later symptoms include polyuria, polydipsia, photophobia, rhinorrhea, pruritus, and cardiac arrhythmias. Notify health care professional immediately if these signs of hypervitaminosis D occur. Treatment usually consists of discontinuation of doxercalciferol, a low-calcium diet, use of low-calcium dialysate in peritoneal dialysis patients, or administration of a laxative. IV hydration and loop diuretics may be ordered to increase urinary excretion of calcium. Hemodialysis may also be used.

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

Imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements (Indications)

Implementation

• Oral: Doses usually given during dialysis sessions.
• Administer by rapid injection through the catheter at the end of a hemodialysis period.

Patient/Family Teaching

• Advise patient that medication may be given during their dialysis session.
• Review diet modifications with patient. See for foods high in calcium and vitamin D. Renal patients must still consider renal failure diet in food selection. Health care professional may order concurrent calcium supplement.
• Encourage patient to comply with dietary recommendations of health care professional. Explain that the best source of vitamins is a well-balanced diet with foods from the 4 basic food groups and the importance of sunlight exposure. See for foods high in vitamin D.
• Patients self-medicating with vitamin supplements should be cautioned not to exceed RDA. The effectiveness of megadoses for treatment of various medical conditions is unproved and may cause side effects.
• Advise patient to avoid concurrent use of antacids containing magnesium.
• Review symptoms of overdose and instruct patient to report these promptly to health care professional.
• Emphasize the importance of follow-up exams to evaluate progress.

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Normalization of serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels.