Vitamin D analogues

The natural, active form of vitamin D is calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol). This molecule and other naturally occurring forms of vitamin D, including its precursors and metabolites, have been modified to synthesize pharmaceuticals with potentially greater, or selective, therapeutic actions.^[1][2][3][4]

Types

These include:

• Alfacalcidol
• Calcipotriol (calcipotriene)
• Doxercalciferol
• Falecalcitriol
• Paricalcitol
• Tacalcitol

Mechanisms

These modified vitamin D analogues have a side chain or other modifications. They aim to reduce the classical renal and intestinal effects of calcitriol on calcium and phosphate homeostasis, from its effects on other biologic processes.^[5] They target cell proliferation and differentiation, especially in skin, or other effects in the parathyroid gland (secondary hyperparathyroidism) or bone cells.^[5]