Drug

Calcitriol

In clinical development

ClassVitamin D receptor agonistEmerging researchLate-stage developmentSteady momentum

Also known as 1-alpha-25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, Calcijex, Calcitriol Ointment, Rocaltrol+10 more

1-alpha-25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3, Calcijex, Calcitriol Ointment, Rocaltrol, Vectical, (1S,3R,5Z,7E)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10-triene-1,3,25-triol, (5Z,7E)-(1S,3R)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-triene-1,3,25-triol, 1,25-DHCC, 1,25-DHCC - 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25-DIHYDROXYCALCIFEROL, 1,25-diOHCC - 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, Calcitriolum.

RxNorm1894 ChEMBLCHEMBL846 ATCA11CC04 ATCD05AX03UNIIFXC9231JVH

Research papers

Active clinical trials

Vitamin D3 receptor

Primary target

Latest activity

beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

Accelerated Correction of Vitamin D Deficiency in Cholestatic Children: a Comparative Trial of Vitamin D2 Monotherapy vs Combination Therapy With Calcitriol

Clinical trial2026-07-10Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Calcitriol Monotherapy for X-Linked Hypophosphatemia: Effects on Mineral Ions, Growth and Skeletal Parameters

Clinical trial2026-05-07Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

Activated Vitamin D for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Kidney Injury (ACTIVATE-AKI)

Clinical trial2025-09-29Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

Randomized trial of activated vitamin D for acute kidney injury prevention in critically ill patients.

Research2025-09-09JCI insight

An Open-Label, Randomized, Parallel Group Study to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Hectorol® (Doxercalciferol Capsules) in Pediatric Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3 and 4 With Secondary Hyperparathyroidism Not Yet on Dialysis

Clinical trial2025-06-11Terminated · ClinicalTrials.gov

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety With Eldecalcitol and Calcitriol in Postmenopausal Women With Low Bone Mineral Density or Mild Osteoporosis

Clinical trial2025-06-01Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

A Comparative Trial of Calcitriol Versus Placebo for the Preservation of Bone Mass and Strength After Kidney Transplantation

Clinical trial2025-03-07Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

Exploration of Baseline Alterations on the Dopamine D2/D3 Receptor System and the Effects of Vitamin D in Opioid Use Disorder: an [11C]-PHNO Study

Clinical trial2025-02-18Completed · ClinicalTrials.gov

A 6-Month, Randomized, Open-Label, Active-Comparator Controlled, Parallel-Group Study With a 6-Month Extension to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Alendronate Sodium 70 mg/Vitamin D3 5600 I.U. Combination Tablets Versus Calcitriol in the Treatment of Osteoporosis in Postmenopausal Women in China

Clinical trial2024-06-20Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

Role of Calcitriol and Vitamin D Receptor (<i>VDR</i>) Gene Polymorphisms in Alzheimer's Disease.

Research2024-04-28International journal of molecular sciences

Induction of the Vitamin D Receptor Attenuates Autophagy Dysfunction-Mediated Cell Death Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

Research2017-08-03Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology

Alendronate sodium/vitamin D3 combination tablet versus calcitriol for osteoporosis in Chinese postmenopausal women: a 6-month, randomized, open-label, active-comparator-controlled study with a 6-month extension.

Research2015-05-01Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name

Calcitriol

Aliases & brands

1-alpha-25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3CalcijexCalcitriol OintmentRocaltrolVectical(1S,3R,5Z,7E)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10-triene-1,3,25-triol(5Z,7E)-(1S,3R)-9,10-secocholesta-5,7,10(19)-triene-1,3,25-triol1,25-DHCC1,25-DHCC - 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol1,25-DIHYDROXYCALCIFEROL1,25-diOHCC - 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3Calcitriolum

RxNorm CUI

1894

ChEMBL ID

CHEMBL846

ATC codes

A11CC04D05AX03

UNII

FXC9231JVH

Primary mechanism

Vitamin D receptor agonist

Pharmacology & targets

1 target

Known molecular targets and mechanisms supported by curated pharmacology databases.

Vitamin D3 receptor

VDR · P11473

AGONISTVitamin D receptor agonist

Clinical trials

100 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme

CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY

100

registered trials across all phases

LATEST COMPLETION 2026

Active studies

Recruiting

Late-stage (III+)

Completed

Discontinued

PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 100

Early Phase 14Phase 113Phase 1 / 24Phase 222Phase 2 / 32Phase 310Phase 428Phase N / A17

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Accelerated Correction of Vitamin D Deficiency in Cholestatic Children: a Comparative Trial of Vitamin D2 Monotherapy vs Combination Therapy With Calcitriol

RecruitingPH IVChulalongkorn Universityn=542027

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety With Eldecalcitol and Calcitriol in Postmenopausal Women With Low Bone Mineral Density or Mild Osteoporosis

Unknown statusPH IVShanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospitaln=3002025

Pilot Trial About the Effects of Calcitriol's Treatment in the Neurological Function and Frataxin's Level in Friedreich's Ataxia Patients

CompletedPH IVBerta Alemanyn=202023

Comparing the Effectiveness of High or Low Dose of Active Vitamin D Combined With Neutral Phosphate in Children With X-linked Hypophosphatemia

Unknown statusPH IVPeking Union Medical College Hospitaln=1002022

A Multicenter Randomized Open-label Clinical Trial of Vitamin D Combined With HD-DXM Versus HD-DXM for the Treatment of ITP

Unknown statusPH IVShandong Universityn=602021

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

Calcitriol Monotherapy for X-Linked Hypophosphatemia: Effects on Mineral Ions, Growth and Skeletal Parameters

CompletedPH IMassachusetts General Hospitaln=162026

Exploration of Baseline Alterations on the Dopamine D2/D3 Receptor System and the Effects of Vitamin D in Opioid Use Disorder: an [11C]-PHNO Study

CompletedPH IYale Universityn=52025

Comparison of Serum Calcium Level Between Preoperative Vitamin D and Non-vitamin D Regimen of Total Parathyroidectomy in End-stage Renal Failure Patients in Rajavithi Hospital

CompletedN/ADepartment of Medical Services Ministry of Public Health of Thailandn=602023

Pilot Trial About the Effects of Calcitriol's Treatment in the Neurological Function and Frataxin's Level in Friedreich's Ataxia Patients

CompletedPH IVBerta Alemanyn=202023

Vitamin D as a Therapeutic Adjunct in the Stimulant Treatment of ADHD: a Proof-of-concept Study of Stimulant-induced Dopamine Release Using [11C]-PHNO PET in Healthy Humans

CompletedPH IYale Universityn=242023

Effect of Oral Systemic Administration of Vitamin D on the Rate of Orthodontic Tooth Movement - A Randomized Control Trial

CompletedN/APostgraduate Institute of Dental Sciences Rohtakn=242021

Research activity

9 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time

19982025

Most influential

The nuclear vitamin D receptor: biological and molecular regulatory properties revealed.

Journal of bone and mineral research : the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research · 1998 · 928 cites

1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin d3 has a direct effect on naive CD4(+) T cells to enhance the development of Th2 cells.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) · 2001 · 825 cites

Randomized controlled trial of calcitriol in severe sepsis.

American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine · 2014 · 103 cites

Induction of the Vitamin D Receptor Attenuates Autophagy Dysfunction-Mediated Cell Death Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

Cellular physiology and biochemistry : international journal of experimental cellular physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology · 2017 · 29 cites

The effect of sevelamer carbonate and lanthanum carbonate on the pharmacokinetics of oral calcitriol.

Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation : official publication of the European Dialysis and Transplant Association - European Renal Association · 2011 · 23 cites

Role of Calcitriol and Vitamin D Receptor (<i>VDR</i>) Gene Polymorphisms in Alzheimer's Disease.

International journal of molecular sciences · 2024 · 17 cites

Related drugs

1 matches

Drugs sharing diseases, protein targets and literature with this one. Ranked by graph evidence (shared targets + diseases weighted above co-mentions).

Chloroquine

Studied across 2 of the same disease areas as Calcitriol in the shared literature.

2 shared diseases1 shared paper

References & data sources

RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
ChEMBL (EMBL-EBI) & UniProt — pharmacology and targets
Europe PMC — research literature
ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials