Vitamin D, Oral

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to treat or prevent problems caused by lack of vitamin D. Take it exactly as directed.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: vitamin

Generic and brand names: ergocalciferol, oral; vitamin D2, oral; Calciferol; Drisdol; cholecalciferol, oral; vitamin D3, oral; D3-50; D-Vi-Sol; Replesta (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

Vitamin D is found in certain foods and is absorbed through the skin from sunlight. It is needed for good health and strong bones and teeth. There are two forms of vitamin D: vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). This medicine is used to treat:

• Certain conditions that cause you to lose calcium
• Low phosphate levels
• Parathyroid problems
• Rickets
• Vitamin D deficiency

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine or dyes
• Gallbladder problems
• High levels of calcium in your blood
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease

Females of childbearing age: Take vitamin D supplements only when recommended and approved by your healthcare provider. If you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding, check with your healthcare provider before you take large doses of vitamin D. It is not known whether taking too much vitamin D will harm an unborn baby.

How do I take it?

Some of the vitamin D medicines are available without a prescription. If you are not certain that you need vitamin D or how much you should take, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist. Your healthcare provider can advise which form is best for you.

Do not take more of this medicine than your healthcare provider recommends or more than directed on the package label.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children. Some brands should not be used in children under a certain age.

This medicine comes in different forms. If you have the liquid form of this medicine, use a specially marked measuring device to measure each dose. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid. The liquid can be dropped directly into your mouth or mixed with fruit juice or food.

You may take capsules and tablets with or without food. Do not crush or chew the capsules.

If you have the chewable wafer tablets, you may chew or crush them. Do not swallow them whole.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

Eating a balanced diet and getting sunshine on your skin regularly are usually enough to satisfy your need for vitamin D. Do not use vitamin D supplements as a substitute for a balanced diet.

Follow your healthcare provider's advice about diet and calcium supplements while taking this medicine. When taken in recommended doses, vitamin D does not usually cause significant side effects. However, You may have serious side effects when large doses are taken over a long period of time.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, constant headache, thirst, metallic taste, irregular heartbeat, weakness, tiredness, loss of appetite, dry mouth, muscle pain, bone pain, irritability, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased urination.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Antacids that contain aluminum or magnesium, such as Gaviscon, Maalox, and Mylanta
• Antiseizure medicines such as phenobarbital and phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
• Cholesterol-lowering medicines such as cholestyramine (Prevalite) and colestipol (Colestid)
• Corticosteroids such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone (A-Hydrocort, Cortef), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Solu-Medrol), prednisolone (Omnipred, Orapred, Prelone), and prednisone (Prednisone Intensol)
• Danazol
• Digoxin (Lanoxin)
• Diuretics (water pills) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), indapamide, and metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
• Medicines and vitamin products that contain vitamin D
• Mineral oil
• Orlistat (alli, Xenical)
• Sucralfate (Carafate)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.