Converting hemodialysis patients from intravenous paricalcitol to intravenous doxercalciferol - a dose equivalency and titration study.

AIMS: Doxercalciferol and paricalcitol are used to treat hyperparathyroidism in chronic kidney disease. This study was conducted to define equivalent dose requirements to convert patients from intravenous paricalcitol to intravenous doxercalciferol.

METHODS

Following a 4-week baseline period using a fixed dose of paricalcitol, 42 adult hemodialysis subjects were assigned to receive a fixed dose of doxercalciferol for 4 weeks using a conversion factor of either 50 or 65% of the prior paricalcitol dose. During a 12-week titration period the doxercalciferol dose was adjusted to optimize iPTH levels into the range of 150 - 300 pg/ml. Annual costs to achieve equivalent iPTH control were calculated for both vitamin D analogs.

RESULTS

During the doxercalciferol fixed-dose period, the average dose of doxercalciferol was 2.1 +/- 1.3 microg and 3.1 +/- 1.8 microg in the 50 and 65% dose conversion groups, respectively. During this period mean iPTH in the 50% dose conversion group increased by 24 pg/ml (p = 0.017). During the dose titration period, doxercalciferol was increased to bring iPTH within the target range. Calcium control was maintained with both conversion factors, while slightly better phosphorus control was seen in the 65% dose conversion group. Annualized treatment cost for doxercalciferol was 28% less expensive per patient than paricalcitol.

CONCLUSION

Patients can be managed safely and effectively with conversion and dose titration from paricalcitol to doxercalciferol. Both conversion strategies maintained iPTH at clinically satisfactory levels. Furthermore, doxercalciferol therapy resulted in drug acquisition cost-savings.