[Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness of vitamin D3 preparations (1-alpha-hydroxy- and 1-alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in various forms of osteoporosis and osteomalacia].

Clinical investigations have shown that 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (oxydevit, alphacalcidiol) and 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (rocaltrol) are act vitamin D3 agents producing a positive clinical effect in different types of osteoporosis and osteomalacia. Clinical improvement of the patients' status (alleviation of the pain syndrome, an increase in motor activity) was noted in 1-2 mos., an x-ray picture of regeneration of the bone structure of both axial and peripheral skeleton--in 6-12 mos. after the initiation of therapy. Therapy was attended by an increase in the serum content of total and ionized calcium, the return of alkaline phosphatase activity to normal, and a decrease in the level of parathormone. During prolonged therapy these agents administered at daily doses of 0.25-2 micrograms caused no pathological side-effects and hypercalcemia. In osteoporotic conditions all these drugs were equal in their clinical effectiveness. Rocaltrol has some advantages in the presence of associated liver pathology.