What is dihydrotachysterol?

Dihydrotachysterol is a form of vitamin D. Vitamin D is needed by the body to keep your bones and teeth healthy. It also helps your body absorb and use calcium more efficiently to help protect bones and teeth.

Dihydrotachysterol is used to treat hypocalcemia (lack of calcium in the blood) and hypoparathyroidism (lack of parathyroid hormone in the body).

Dihydrotachysterol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Precautions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have:

  • heart disease;
  • circulation problems;
  • kidney disease; or
  • sarcoidosis.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use dihydrotachysterol , or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether dihydrotachysterol passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Avoid taking antacids that contain magnesium (such as Milk of Magnesia) or calcium (such as Rolaids Soft Chew, Maalox Quick Dissolve, Alka-Mints, Fast Acting Mylanta, and others).

▲ Back to top

Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a dihydrotachysterol overdose may come on slowly. Early overdose symptoms may include bone pain, bowel problems, dry mouth, ongoing headache, increased thirst and urination, loss of appetite, muscle pain, and unusual weakness. Late signs of overdose include high fever, cloudy urine, mood changes, uneven heartbeats, nausea, vomiting, and severe stomach pain.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

▲ Back to top

Side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using dihydrotachysterol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • bone pain, hard lumps under your skin;
  • eyes that are more sensitive to light;
  • eye redness or discharge;
  • weight loss;
  • metallic taste in your mouth;
  • urinating more than usual, especially at night;
  • nausea, vomiting;
  • severe stomach pain;
  • high fever; or
  • uneven heartbeats.

Continue using dihydrotachysterol and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

  • dry skin;
  • changes in your bowel habits;
  • dry mouth; or
  • muscle pain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

▲ Back to top

Interactions

Before taking dihydrotachysterol, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

  • calcium or vitamin D supplements;
  • multivitamins that contain calcium or vitamin D; or
  • a diuretic (water pill) such as Aldactazide, Diuril, Maxzide, Moduretic, HCTZ, and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use dihydrotachysterol, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect dihydrotachysterol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Other Names

DHT, DHT Intensol, Hytakerol, dihydrotachysterol, and vitamin D

▲ Back to top

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04

Last updated: