[Recent progress and problem of treatment with active vitamin D]

Alphacalcidol and calcitriol have been used as active vitamin D drugs for patients with osteoporosis. In addition, eldecalcitol was recently introduced into clinical practice as a novel active vitamin D in Japan for patient with osteoporosis. It has been established that eldecalcitol reduces vertebral fractures more efficiently than alphacalcidol. Eldecalcitol seems to increase bone mineral density mainly by suppression of bone resorption. However, it is necessary to pay attention to adverse events like hypercalciuria and hypercalcemia in all the patients taking active vitamin D drugs.