Hectorol

Hectorol is a prescription medication used to treat low levels of calcium in patients whose kidneys or parathyroid glands are not working normally. Hectorol belongs to a group of drugs called vitamin D analogs. These work to increase the calcium levels in your body. It also lowers your parathyroid hormone levels.

Hectorol comes in capsule form and is taken once a day or 3 times weekly, depending on your kidneys' function.

Hectorol is also available in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare professional.

Common side effects of Hectorol include constipation, indigestion, and shortness of breath.
 

Hectorol is a prescription medication to treat high levels of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) in patients with chronic kidney disease and are on dialysis.

Hectorol is a prescription medication to treat high levels of PTH in patients with Stage 3 or Stage 4 chronic kidney disease.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
 

Serious side effects have been reported with Hectorol.

Common side effects of Hectorol for patients not on dialysis include the following:

• infection
• chest pain
• constipation
• indigestion
• anemia
• dehydration
• depression
• muscle tension
• sleeplessness
• tingling sensation
• increased cough
• shortness of breath
• runny nose

Common side effects of Hectorol for dialysis patients include the following:

• headache
• ill feeling
• slow heartbeat
• nausea
• vomiting
• swelling
• shortness of breath
• itching

This is not a complete list of Hectorol side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.