Transplant Surgery

Vitamin Supplements

We often have our transplant patients start taking calcium and vitamin D supplements after the transplant.
The reason for this is to help maintain an adequate supply of calcium in your body, which will help to prevent osteoporosis.
After the transplant, patients are giving a vitamin D supplement called Rocaltrol.
Rocaltrol is usually continued for the first one or two months after the transplant, but some patients will require this for longer periods of time.
Rocaltrol will be changed to over-the-counter vitamin D once the kidney is working properly.

Return to Medication Information

GENERIC NAME	Calcium Carbonate
TRADE NAME	This product is generic and over-the-counter. It is available in many different shapes, colors and tablet sizes.
DURATION	How long will I need to takeCalcium Carbonate? You will need to take Calcium Carbonate for as long as your transplant kidney continues working.
DIRECTIONS	How do I take Calcium Carbonate? You will take 500 mg (1 tablet) twice a day on an empty stomach and separate from your transplant medications.
SIDE EFFECTS	What are some of the more common side effects from Calcium Carbonate? Constipation: calcium carbonate is usually very well tolerated. The most common side effect is constipation. If this occurs, please speak with one of the transplant team members to discuss treatment options for constipation.

Vitamin D Supplements – Rocaltrol (Calcitriol)

Rocaltrol is prescription strength vitamin D and you will receive this medication until your creatinine has dropped below 2 after the transplant (usually the first month after transplant).

GENERIC NAME	Calcitriol
TRADE NAME	Rocaltrol - this drug is not currently available as a generic.
DURATION	How long will I need to take Rocaltrol? You will need to take Rocaltrol until your kidney function improves after transplant (usually for the first month after transplant). After your kidney function improves after the transplant you will be taken off of Rocaltrol and be put on over-the-counter Vitamin D₂.
DIRECTIONS	How do I take Rocaltrol? You will take 0.25 mcg (1 capsule) everyday.
SIDE EFFECTS	What are some of the more common side effects from Rocaltrol? Elevated calcium levels: some patients who take vitamin D supplements may develop high calcium levels. Every time that we check your blood, we will check your calcium levels to make sure that they are within the normal range.

Vitamin D Supplements – Vitamin D₂ (Over-the-Counter Vitamin D)

Once your creatinine has dropped below 2, you will be taken off the Rocaltrol and started on Vitamin D₂, which is the over-the-counter form of Vitamin D and works just as well as the prescription strength formulation.

GENERIC NAME	Vitamin D₂
TRADE NAME	This product is generic and over-the-counter. It is available in many different shapes, colors and tablet sizes.
DURATION	How long will I need to take Vitamin D₂? You will need to take Vitamin D₂for as long as your transplant kidney continues working.
DIRECTIONS	How do I take Vitamin D₂? You will take 800 IU (2 capsules) everyday. Some patients who have low Vitamin D₂levels will be asked to take 50,000 units of oral Vitamin D₂every week until their levels become normal.
SIDE EFFECTS	What are some of the more common side effects from Vitamin D₂? Constipation: vitamin D is usually very well tolerated. The most common side effect is constipation. If this occurs, please speak with one of the transplant team members to discuss treatment options for constipation.

Disclaimer:

This site is not an attempt to practice medicine or provide specific medical advice, and should not be used to make a diagnosis or to replace or overrule a qualified health care provider's judgment. Nor should users rely upon the BWH web site if they might need emergency medical treatment. We strongly encourage users to consult with a qualified health care professional for answers to personal questions.

Send Feedback to: Anne Lightfoot at alightfoot@partners.org
This page was last modified on 2/10/2008