Calcitriol is vitamin D3. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body. Calcitriol is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and metabolic bone disease in people who have chronic kidney failure and are not receiving dialysis. Calcitriol is also used to treat calcium deficiency (hypocalcemia). The early signs and symptoms of vitamin D intoxication associated with hypercalcemia include: weakness, headache, somnolence, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, muscle pain, bone pain and metallic taste. Cholestyramine has been reported to reduce intestinal absorption of fatsoluble vitamins; as such it may impair intestinal absorption of Calcitriol. Ketoconazole may inhibit both synthetic and catabolic enzymes of calcitriol.

Cholecalciferol (/ˌkoʊləkælˈsɪfərɒl/) (vitamin D3) is one of the five forms of vitamin D. Cholecalciferol is a steroid hormone that has long been known for its important role in regulating body levels of calcium and phosphorus, in mineralization of bone, and for the assimilation of Vitamin A. The classical manifestation of vitamin D deficiency is rickets, which is seen in children and results in bony deformities including bowed long bones. Most people meet at least some of their vitamin D needs through exposure to sunlight. Ultraviolet (UV) B radiation with a wavelength of 290–320 nanometers penetrates uncovered skin and converts cutaneous 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3, which in turn becomes vitamin D3. In supplements and fortified foods, vitamin D is available in two forms, D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol) that differ chemically only in their side-chain structure. Vitamin D2 is manufactured by the UV irradiation of ergosterol in yeast, and vitamin D3 is manufactured by the irradiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol from lanolin and the chemical conversion of cholesterol. The two forms have traditionally been regarded as equivalent based on their ability to cure rickets and, indeed, most steps involved in the metabolism and actions of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 are identical. Both forms (as well as vitamin D in foods and from cutaneous synthesis) effectively raise serum 25(OH) D levels. Firm conclusions about any different effects of these two forms of vitamin D cannot be drawn. However, it appears that at nutritional doses, vitamins D2 and D3 are equivalent, but at high doses, vitamin D2 is less potent. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that exclusively and partially breastfed infants receive supplements of 400 IU/day of vitamin D shortly after birth and continue to receive these supplements until they are weaned and consume ≥1,000 mL/day of vitamin D-fortified formula or whole milk. Cholecalciferol is used in diet supplementary to treat Vitamin D Deficiency. Cholecalciferol is inactive: it is converted to its active form by two hydroxylations: the first in the liver, the second in the kidney, to form calcitriol, whose action is mediated by the vitamin D receptor, a nuclear receptor which regulates the synthesis of hundreds of enzymes and is present in virtually every cell in the body. Calcitriol increases the serum calcium concentrations by increasing GI absorption of phosphorus and calcium, increasing osteoclastic resorption, and increasing distal renal tubular reabsorption of calcium. Calcitriol appears to promote intestinal absorption of calcium through binding to the vitamin D receptor in the mucosal cytoplasm of the intestine. Subsequently, calcium is absorbed through formation of a calcium-binding protein.

Elocalcitol (also known as BXL-628), a vitamin D3 analog. This compound regulates cell proliferation and apoptosis via its binding to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) having anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory properties in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) treatment. In a phase, IIb trial in patients with BPH, treatment with elocalcitol resulted in a significantly reduced prostate volume compared with placebo; irritative urinary symptoms (frequency, urgency, and nocturia) and urodynamic parameters were comparable to the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist tamsulosin. In a phase IIa trial in patients with prostatitis, elocalcitol significantly reduced levels of IL-8 in semen, suggesting improved quality and forward motility of sperm. However, phase IIb trial data from patients with overactive bladder (OAB) were less promising: elocalcitol failed to meet the primary endpoint despite demonstrating good efficacy in a phase IIa trial. Based largely on these disappointing data, BioXell decided to terminate all further clinical development of elocalcitol, including an uncompleted phase IIa trial in patients with male infertility. Recently was shown, that VDR agonists as elocalcitol could be therapeutic tools for skeletal muscle integrity/function maintenance, an indispensable condition for health homeostasis.

1β-CALCITRIOL is an Impurity B of Calcitriol. Calcitriol(1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3; Rocaltrol ) is the hormonally active form of vitamin D, Calcitriol is the active metabolite of vitamin D3 that activates the vitamin D receptor (VDR). 1-epicalcitriol is a potent antagonist of 1,25(OH)2D3-induced intestinal calcium transport (transcaltachia).