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© 1987 Oxford University Press

research-article

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CHOLECALCIFEROL, DIHYDROTACHYSTEROL AND ALFACALCIDOL IN THE TREATMENT OF ELDERLY PATIENTS WITH HYPOCALCAEMIA

R. C. HAMDY, Consultant Geriatrician1, J. A. COLES, Consultant Geriatrician1 and L. J. DOWNEY, Deputy Medical Director2

1St John's Hospital St John's Hill, London SW11
2Duphar Laboratories Limited Gaters Hill, West End, Southampton SO3 3JD

Fifty elderly patients with hypocalcaemia were randomly treated for 8 weeks with either oral dihydrotachysterol, parenteral cholecalciferol or oral alfacalcidol. All three treatments were successful in normalizing the serum calcium levels in most patients within 2 weeks. Hypercalcaemia was seen only with alfacalcidol but was rapidly reversed once treatment was discontinued. Hypercalcaemia was not observed with either dihydrotachysterol or cholecalciferol. These therefore, require less frequent biochemical monitoring. A single cholecalciferol injection eliminates the problems of compliance.

accepted in revised form November 6, 1986.


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