This isn’t an easy topic to write about nor is it an easy topic to find information about since it’s quite complex.
Side Effects
by mouth as directed. Follow all directions on the product package. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Your dosage is based on your medical condition, amount of sun exposure, diet, age, and response to treatment. If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. If you are taking the rapidly-dissolving tablets, dry your hands before handling the medication.
You do not need to take this medication with water. Certain medications (bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine/colestipol, mineral oil, orlistat) can decrease the absorption of vitamin D. Take 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.
If you are taking this medication only once a week, remember to take it on the same day each week. If your doctor has recommended that you follow a special diet (such as a diet high in calcium), it is very important to follow the diet to get the most benefit from this medication and to prevent serious side effects. If you think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right awa.
1. Elevated Blood Levels
Hypervitaminosis D is defined as blood vitamin D levels over 100 ng/mL, while vitamin D intoxication is defined as serum levels over 150 ng/mL Even when taking high dose vitamin D supplements, it’s unlikely that a healthy person’s blood vitamin D levels would come close to reaching excessive or toxic levels. In another 2020 case report, a 56-year-old woman who took an average of 130,000 IU of vitamin D per day for 20 months in hopes of improving symptoms of multiple sclerosis was hospitalized for symptoms including nausea, vomiting, and muscle weakness.
Her vitamin D levels were discovered to be 265 ng/mL Summary Vitamin D levels greater than 100 ng/mL may be harmful.
Warnings
D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is a supplement that helps your body absorb calcium.
It’s typically used to treat people who have a vitamin D deficiency or related disorder, such as rickets or osteomalacia. Some individuals who might need extra vitamin D include:
Older adults
Breastfed babies
People with darker skin
Obese individuals (or those who’ve had gastric bypass surgery)
People with conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Crohn’s disease, or liver disease
Vitamin D3 may be used with different supplements or medicines to treat or prevent other condition.
For The Consumer
Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking cholecalciferol:
Incidence not known
Cough
difficulty swallowing
dizziness
fast heartbeat
hives or itching
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
skin rash
tightness in the chest
unusual tiredness or weakness.