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Vitamin D is used to treat and prevent bone disorders caused by low levels of vitamin D in the body (e.g., rickets, osteomalacia). It is also used with other medications to treat low levels of calcium or phosphate caused by certain disorders (e.g., hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, familial hypophosphatemia). Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Having the right amounts of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus is important for building and keeping strong bones.Vitamin D may also be used with calcium to treat or prevent bone loss (osteoporosis). It is also used in patients with kidney disease to keep calcium levels normal and allow normal bone growth.
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| Overview |
Photos |
How To Use |
Side Effects |
Precautions |
Missed Dose |
Drug Interactions |
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Vitamin D
Uses
Vitamin D is used to treat and prevent bone disorders caused by low levels of vitamin D in the body (e.g., rickets, osteomalacia). It is also used with other medications to treat low levels of calcium or phosphate caused by certain disorders (e.g., hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, familial hypophosphatemia). Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Having the right amounts of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus is important for building and keeping strong bones.Vitamin D may also be used with calcium to treat or prevent bone loss (osteoporosis). It is also used in patients with kidney disease to keep calcium levels normal and allow normal bone growth.
Notes
- Keep all regular medical and laboratory appointments.
- If your doctor has prescribed this medication, laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., calcium/ phosphorus levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
- Consult your doctor for more details.Foods rich in vitamin D include: fortified dairy products, eggs, sardines, cod liver oil, chicken livers, and fatty fish.
- Vitamin D is also made by the body as a result of exposure to the sun.
Storage
- Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
- If you have any questions about storage, ask your pharmacist.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Overdose
- Symptoms of overdose may include: weakness, headache, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, increased urination, increased thirst.
How To Use
- Take the tablet, capsule, or liquid form of this medication by mouth with or without food as directed on the product package.
- If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- If your doctor has prescribed this medication to you, take as directed.
- Measure the liquid medication with the dropper provided, or use a medication-measuring spoon/device to make sure you have the correct dose.If your doctor has prescribed this medication, the dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it.
- To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.If your doctor has recommended that you follow a special diet, it is very important to follow the diet to get the most benefit from this medication and to prevent serious side effects.
- Do not take other supplements/vitamins unless ordered by your doctor.If you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.
Side Effects
- If your doctor has prescribed this medication, remember that he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
- Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weight loss, constipation, increased thirst, increased urination, change in the amount of urine, bone/muscle pain, headache, mental/mood changes, weakness, tiredness, fast/pounding heartbeat.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
- However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before taking vitamin D, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to tartrazine (in some of the tablet/capsule forms); or to propylene glycol (in the liquid form); or if you have any other allergies.
- People who are allergic to aspirin are frequently allergic to tartrazine.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
- Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: high calcium/vitamin D levels (hypercalcemia/hypervitaminosis D), difficulty absorbing nutrition from food (malabsorption syndrome).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, kidney stones, liver disease, certain bowel diseases (Crohn's disease, Whipple's disease), low levels of bile, untreated phosphate imbalance, heart/blood vessel disease, certain immune system disorder (sarcoidosis), limited or no ability to walk (immobility).During pregnancy, doses of vitamin D greater than the recommended dietary allowance should be used only when clearly needed.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication may pass into breast milk.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed Dose
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
- If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug Interactions
- If you are taking this medication under your doctor's direction, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
- Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because a very serious interaction may occur: other vitamin D products (e.g., calcitriol).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: certain anti-seizure medications (e.g., phenytoin, phenobarbital), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), digoxin, phosphate binders, thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide).Certain medications can decrease the absorption of vitamin D (bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine/colestipol, mineral oil, orlistat).
- Therefore, separate your doses of these medications as far as possible from your doses of vitamin D (at least 2 hours apart, longer if possible).
- It may be easiest to take vitamin D at bedtime if you are also taking these other medications.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist about how long you should wait between doses and for help finding a dosing schedule that will work with all your medications.Check the labels on all your prescription and nonprescription/herbal products (e.g., antacids, laxatives, vitamins) because they may contain calcium, phosphate, or vitamin D.
- Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including cholesterol test), possibly causing false test results.
- Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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