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Rickets Medications

Rickets is a condition in children where bones become soft and weakened, causing bowed legs, bone pain and delayed growth. A lack of vitamin D or calcium causes most cases, and the similar adult condition is called osteomalacia.

Key points

  • A shortage of vitamin D or calcium weakens growing bones, which can bow the legs and slow a child’s growth.
  • Standard vitamin D supplements correct most cases, while activated forms handle rickets caused by kidney disease or rare inherited types.
  • Ordinary vitamin D supplements are sold over the counter, but the higher-strength activated forms need a prescription and blood monitoring.

Medicine used to treat Rickets

Alfacip

Alfacalcidol

0.25 · 0.5mcg

Formulated to manage calcium levels, this treatment is indicated to support bone health by regulating mineral metabolism.

How it’s treated

Treatment replaces the missing vitamin D and calcium:

  • Vitamin D, as colecalciferol (vitamin D3), corrects the deficiency.
  • Calcium supplements are given when intake is low.
  • Activated vitamin D, such as alfacalcidol or calcitriol, covers rickets from kidney disease or rare inherited forms that don’t respond to standard vitamin D.

Sensible sun exposure and a vitamin-D-rich diet help prevent recurrence.

UK status

Standard vitamin D supplements are available over the counter (GSL). Treatment doses and activated forms such as alfacalcidol are prescription-only (POM) and supervised, since they need monitoring of blood calcium.

Further reading