Doxercalciferol is a synthetic Vitamin D2 Analog which regulates blood calcium at levels required for essential body functions. It acts on bone cells, (osteoblasts), to stimulate skeletal growth and on the parathyroid glands to suppress PTH synthesis and secretion. In patients with renal failure, it prevents the development of metabolic bone disease.
USE
Doxercalciferol is a synthetic Vitamin D2 analog undergoing metabolic activation in vivo to form 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D2 (1α,25-(OH)2D2), a naturally occurring, biologically active form of Vitamin D2. This one regulates blood calcium at levels required for essential body functions. The biologically active Vitamin D metabolites control the intestinal absorption of dietary calcium, the tubular reabsorption of calcium by the kidney and, in conjunction with parathyroid hormone (PTH), the mobilization of calcium from the skeleton. They act directly on bone cells to stimulate skeletal growth, and on the parathyroid glands to suppress PTH synthesis and secretion. In uremic patients, deficient production of biologically active vitamin D metabolites (due to lack of or insufficient 25hydroxyvitamin D-1-alpha-hydroxylase activity) leads to secondary hyperparathyroidism, which contributes to the development of metabolic bone disease in patients with renal failure.
