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Article: IV versus PO Vitamin D: the road already traveled.(Controversies in Nephrology Nursing: who Should Be Paying for Vitamin D Analogues--Medicare or the Patients?)
- Article from:
- Nephrology Nursing Journal
- Article date:
- May 1, 2006
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2006 Jannetti Publications, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stages 3-5 experience decreased calcitriol (1,25 (OH2)[D.sub.3]) levels when the kidney can no longer convert Vitamin D to its active form (Parker, 1998). Although most often associated with suppression of parathyroid hormone (PTH), Vitamin D performs a multitude of other body functions; among them, suppression of renin expression, modulation of the immune and inflammatory system, and promotion of vascular endothelial health (Teng et al., 2005).
Advantages of Injectable D
Vitamin D analogues are available in oral form--Rocaltrol (calcitriol) (Roche; Nutley, NJ), Hectorol (doxercalciferol) (Genzyme Corporation, ...