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Aquadetrim

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Aquadetrim

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

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Overview of Aquadetrim

Quick Facts

Property Description
Active ingredient Dihydrotachysterol (DHT)
Form Oral solution, tablets, or capsules
Pharmacological class Vitamin D Analog
General purpose Calcium Regulator
Origin Synthetic form

Aquadetrim is a pharmaceutical preparation containing Dihydrotachysterol (DHT), which is utilized as a potent agent to regulate the body's calcium-phosphate metabolism. The preparation belongs to the Vitamin D Analog pharmacological class and is consistently provided as a single product for oral administration.

Defining Aquadetrim: Active Ingredient and Class

Aquadetrim is defined by its core active ingredient, Dihydrotachysterol (DHT), a synthetic form derived from the Vitamin D pathway. This compound is chemically classified as a hydroxy seco-steroid that is specifically engineered to exert effects similar to the active metabolites of natural Vitamin D. Dihydrotachysterol is distinguished from Vitamin D2 and D3 because its mechanism is clinically recognized to offer a relatively fast-acting response compared to other non-hydroxylated Vitamin D precursors. This targeted action is a key feature supporting its use in situations requiring prompt and effective mineral balance correction.

Composition and Available Pharmaceutical Forms

The preparation is a single-entity medicine, containing only Dihydrotachysterol as the primary active ingredient (C28H46O). Aquadetrim is formulated for oral administration in several dosage form(s), including a liquid solution (oral drops), tablets, and capsules. The availability of the liquid solution form is a specific differentiating factor, positioning it as an option for ease of ingestion, particularly for pediatric patients or individuals with difficulty swallowing solid forms.

General Purpose as a Calcium Regulator

The general purpose of Dihydrotachysterol is to act as a Calcium Regulator agent, supporting critical physiological processes that rely on stable mineral levels. This function is achieved through its potent antihypocalcemic properties, which facilitate the sustained elevation of serum calcium concentrations. Studies confirm that Dihydrotachysterol does not require the secondary activation step in the kidneys, unlike many Vitamin D precursors. This provides a significant benefit by enabling a prompt regulatory effect on the body's calcium balance, a property observed in pharmacological studies.

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What side effects are possible with Aquadetrim?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

The safety profile for Aquadetrim (Colecalciferol) is based on official government regulatory documents. The most clinically significant events are related to disturbances in calcium metabolism, primarily resulting from overdose or use in high-risk patients.


Documented Adverse Reactions

Side effects are categorized by frequency based on regulatory standards:

  • Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000): Hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium) and Hypercalciuria (high urine calcium). These are the main safety concerns and can lead to serious complications if left unmanaged.
  • Rare (affects 1 to 10 users in 10,000): Skin reactions such as Pruritus (itching), Rash, and Urticaria (hives).
  • System-Organ Classes (SOC) Affected: Metabolism and Nutrition Disorders, Renal and Urinary Disorders, and Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Restrictions

Serious adverse reactions are typically associated with Hypervitaminosis D (toxicity/overdose) and the resulting severe hypercalcaemia. These include Nephrocalcinosis (calcification of kidney tissue) and the formation of Renal Calculi (kidney stones).

Contraindications (Situations where the medicine must not be used):

  • Pre-existing Hypercalcaemia or Hypercalciuria.
  • Documented Hypervitaminosis D.
  • Nephrocalcinosis or Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones).
  • Severe Renal Impairment.

Population-Specific Safety Notes:

Use requires particular caution and monitoring in patients with Sarcoidosis or Pseudohypoparathyroidism due to altered vitamin D metabolism. During Pregnancy and Lactation, maternal hypercalcaemia must be strictly avoided as it carries a risk of developmental harm to the child, as documented in regulatory safety labels.

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Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Overdose with Aquadetrim (Cholecalciferol, Vitamin D3) is primarily associated with hypercalcemia (excessive calcium in the blood) resulting from chronic over-ingestion. This condition can be serious, sometimes leading to life-threatening complications.

Documented Manifestations and Serious Outcomes

Symptoms of hypercalcemia are initially vague, including anorexia (loss of appetite), nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, and polyuria (excessive urination). Severe or chronic overdose can progress to serious organ damage, such as irreversible renal failure, nephrocalcinosis (kidney calcification), and cardiac arrhythmias. Due to increased sensitivity, infants and small children may react to lower doses than adults.

Required Emergency Actions

The immediate mandatory action is the discontinuation of Aquadetrim and all calcium supplements. Urgent medical attention is required if the serum calcium level exceeds the established regulatory threshold of 10.6 mg/dl (2.65 mmol/l). Management focuses on treating the hypercalcemia, which often involves rehydration with saline solutions and, in some cases, administration of agents like calcitonin or glucocorticoids. Monitoring of serum and urinary calcium levels is essential during recovery.

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Therapeutic Uses of Aquadetrim

What Aquadetrim Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

The therapeutic role of Aquadetrim is relevant in managing the symptoms associated with insufficient Vitamin D. Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is commonly used to help with conditions that involve symptomatic discomfort and supports general well-being. This is applicable within clinical settings that involve acute or disruptive symptom patterns.


Supporting Bone and Skeletal Health

This domain covers conditions presenting with systemic or localized discomfort related to bone health. Aquadetrim is commonly used across conditions presenting with acute or episodic bone-related discomfort, providing support that helps ease the overall symptom burden.


Easing Muscle Pain and Functional Strain

This addresses symptom clusters of muscle aches and weakness that can significantly interfere with daily functioning. Aquadetrim is applied in scenarios where additional symptomatic support is needed, and is relevant for easing symptoms related to heightened physiological activity. This offers symptomatic relief that may help patients cope more steadily with symptom fluctuations.

“Applied across domains where additional symptomatic support is needed, this medicine assists with maintaining functional stability.”


Contributing to General Well-being and Immunity

This therapeutic area is relevant for symptoms related to systemic imbalance, such as fatigue and general malaise, which may intensify temporarily. By providing supportive relief, the treatment contributes to improved day-to-day comfort and supports general well-being during symptomatic phases.


Quick Fact: Relief for Symptoms that Interfere with Daily Functioning

Regulatory References

  1. NIH MedlinePlus Drug Information
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Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who can and cannot use Aquadetrim?

The official regulatory profile for Dihydrotachysterol defines specific patient populations who can and cannot use this medicine, primarily based on contraindications and conditional use.


Contraindications and Prohibited Use

The medicine is strictly contraindicated (prohibited) for patients with a pre-existing condition of Hypercalcaemia (excessive calcium in the blood) or Hypervitaminosis D (Vitamin D toxicity). Use is also prohibited for breastfeeding mothers. Individuals with a known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient or excipients must not use the preparation. The oral drop solution contains arachis oil and is therefore strictly contraindicated for anyone with a nut allergy (including peanuts). Concurrent use with calcium supplements is also prohibited.

Age-Group and Conditional Eligibility

Use is established and permitted for Adults and Pediatric patients (neonates, infants, and children) for approved indications. For pregnant women, the safety of use is not established, and treatment is justified only when potential benefits outweigh possible risks. Patients with Sarcoidosis require special caution and monitoring due to increased sensitivity to Vitamin D effects. Older adults require cautious dose selection.

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What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

This section describes documented interactions between Aquadetrim (colecalciferol / Vitamin D3) and other substances, as stated in official government regulatory documents.

Clinically Significant Interaction Categories

Interacting Product Category Potential Effect and Management
Thiazide Diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide) Increased risk of elevated calcium levels in the blood, requiring monitoring.
Cardiac Glycosides (e.g., digoxin) Heightened risk of abnormal heart rhythms due to hypercalcemia; close monitoring is necessary.
Enzyme Inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine) Increased metabolic breakdown of colecalciferol, which may necessitate a larger colecalciferol dose.
Absorption Inhibitors (e.g., cholestyramine, orlistat, paraffin oil) Reduced intestinal absorption of colecalciferol, requiring administration time separation.

Other Documented Interactions

  • Glucocorticosteroids (e.g., prednisolone) may reduce the effectiveness of colecalciferol.
  • Antineoplastic agents (e.g., actinomycin) and certain antifungal medicines (e.g., ketoconazole) may alter the metabolism of colecalciferol.
  • It is advised to avoid co-administering with other preparations containing Vitamin D or calcium unless specifically supervised, due to the cumulative risk of hypercalcemia.

The regulatory profile defines constraints for safe co-administration, primarily to prevent hypercalcemia and to manage the altered exposure of colecalciferol caused by medicines affecting its metabolism or absorption.

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Mechanism of Action

Direct VDR Agonism and Multi-System Regulation

The mechanism centers on the active metabolite of Dihydrotachysterol acting as an agonist of the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR), a nuclear transcription factor. By activating the VDR, the drug initiates a transcriptional cascade that collectively increases the rate of mineral movement across the small intestine, kidney tubules, and bone matrix. This coordinated multi-system modulation results in the elevation of serum calcium concentration.


Bypassing the Renal Feedback Mechanism

A distinguishing feature of this drug's mechanism is its unique chemical structure, which only requires 25-hydroxylation in the liver to become fully active, structurally bypassing the final, rate-limiting 1-alpha-hydroxylation step that occurs in the kidney for natural Vitamin D precursors . This metabolic simplification is the mechanistic basis for the rapid onset of VDR agonism but inherently removes the kidney's role as the primary feedback regulator, resulting in a constrained range of pharmacological effect for serum concentration control.

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Dosage and Administration Information

The administration of Aquadetrim, an oral medicine available as both liquid solution and solid dosage forms, is strictly governed by the intended clinical objective. Official guidelines establish distinct dosing regimens for long-term prevention versus short-term therapeutic treatment.

Administration Scope

The approved method for administration is strictly oral. Dosing patterns are categorized into low-range daily maintenance, typically between 400 IU and 2,000 IU, and high-dose therapeutic schedules which may involve intermittent use, such as a course of 50,000 IU administered monthly.

The medicine's intake is contextual; while tablets and capsules are generally instructed to be taken with a meal, the oral drops can be administered by mixing with a small quantity of cold or lukewarm liquid immediately before consumption. Procedural use requires the dosage calculation to factor in the patient’s total cumulative vitamin D intake from all sources to maintain safe levels.

Age-Group Use and Duration

A distinct use protocol exists for the pediatric population, where prophylactic administration commonly begins in infants during the second week of life. The medicine is generally not used in individuals diagnosed with severe impairment of renal function. Therapeutic dosing typically follows a short course, lasting six to twelve weeks, after which the patient is transitioned to the low-dose maintenance regimen or a seasonal use pattern.

If a daily dose is missed, standard protocol involves taking it upon remembering, unless it is close to the time for the next scheduled dose, at which point the routine schedule should be resumed.

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Recent Clinical Evidence

Research evidence / Overview of studies for Aquadetrim


Evidence for Use in Parathyroid Disorders (Hypocalcemia)

Research exploring Dihydrotachysterol use for low serum calcium levels associated with hypoparathyroidism primarily relies on long-term observational studies, patient registries, and case series. This evidence base was studied for its application in cohorts of patients with chronic conditions. Studies were conducted in populations, often including adults with hypoparathyroidism following surgery, where Dihydrotachysterol-based therapy was observed. Findings describe patterns observed in the studies related to fluctuations in mineral biomarkers over time.

Research describes the long-term assessment of certain renal complications, such as the incidence of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) or calcium deposits in the kidneys (nephrocalcinosis), in patients monitored over extended periods. Patient follow-up in registry data and case series has been documented to span decades. Comparative studies have explored Dihydrotachysterol in relation to newer treatment modalities, and they report how patient-reported experiences, such as symptom burden, were assessed during the study period.

Evidence for Use in Kidney-Related Bone and Mineral Issues

Research has explored cohorts where Dihydrotachysterol was administered in patients with bone and mineral disorders, such as renal osteodystrophy, due to chronic kidney impairment (CKD). Studies examined outcomes reflecting daily functioning and systemic imbalance. For instance, randomized, double-blind comparative trials have been conducted, primarily in children with moderate chronic renal insufficiency, comparing Dihydrotachysterol to other active Vitamin D analogs.

Studies monitored several important factors during the observation period. Research examined whether specific changes occurred in the linear growth (height Z scores) of children and assessed the bone mineralization biomarkers. Furthermore, trials reported patterns related to the participants' Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR), which measures kidney function, and fluctuations in serum calcium and phosphate levels.


What is Still Uncertain About Aquadetrim Studies

Key limitations noted by researchers include the observation that treatment was associated with a decline in GFR in some cohorts, and the risk of prolonged hypercalcemic events reported in case series. Limited data on long-term effects related to certain major clinical events (such as cardiovascular outcomes) are available in the existing research structure. Evidence quality varies across studies, with comparative evidence often lacking in the form of large, recent placebo-controlled trials for the primary indication. Studies provide limited information for long-term outcomes on subjective measures like overall functional status or specific muscle-related quality of life factors. The existing research describes patterns observed under the specific conditions of the studies and does not determine whether an individual will respond similarly.

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How should Aquadetrim be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Aquadetrim (Dihydrotachysterol)

The official storage conditions for Dihydrotachysterol require the medicine to be maintained in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated environment. The product must be protected from light and moisture to preserve its stability. The container should be kept tightly closed and, for the oral solution, unused contents should be discarded four months after the first opening.


For safety, the medication must be stored out of the sight and reach of children and should be kept locked up. Official regulatory guidance mandates that unused or expired medicine must be disposed of at an approved waste disposal facility in accordance with local laws. It is strictly prohibited to discard the medicine into sewer systems or drains to prevent environmental release.

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Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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