Intravenous alfacalcidol once weekly pulse therapy for secondary hyperparathyroidism in hemodialysis patients

This study was carried out to assess the efficacy of intravenous administration of alfacalcidol once weekly versus thrice weekly in patients with poorly controlled secondary hyperparathyroidism.

Thirty-six hemodialysis patients with intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH) > 31.8 pmol/L were divided into two groups. Eighteen patients (Group 1) were given once weekly alfacalcidol for 6 months. The starting dose was 3 µg, which was increased or decreased by 1 µg per week. Eighteen patients (Group 2) were given thrice weekly alfacalcidol for 6 months. The starting dose was 1 µg, which was increased or decreased by 0.5 µg per dose. The dose was increased or decreased according to serum-corrected calcium (CCa), phosphorus (P), and i-PTH. Serum-CCa and P were measured weekly, whereas serum i-PTH and alkaline phosphatase were determined every month.

Intact-PTH reduced significantly (p < 0.001) from 86 ± 33.20 pmol/L to 31.04 ± 7.77 pmol/L and from 83.64 ± 32.12 pmol/L to 33.09 ± 11.37 pmol/L post-treatment in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. Fifty-six percent of the patients had i-PTH ≤ 31.8 pmol/L at the last observation. Serum alkaline phosphatase reduced significantly (p < 0.001) from 227.94 ± 129.86 IU/L to 163.17 ± 95.29 IU/L and from 285.39 ± 232.36 IU/L to 202.56 ± 165.84 IU/L post-treatment in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. There were no significant differences in serum levels of CCa, P, or their product.

Intravenous alfacalcidol thrice or once weekly is safe and effectively reduced the levels of i-PTH in hemodialysis patients.