Side Effects
by mouth as directed. Vitamin D is best absorbed when taken after a meal but may be taken with or without food. Alfacalcidol is usually taken with food.
Follow all directions on the product package. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take as directed by your doctor. Your dosage is based on your medical condition, amount of sun exposure, diet, age, and response to treatment.
Do not swallow whole wafers. 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.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should wait between doses and for help finding a dosing schedule that will work with all your medications. If you are taking this medication only once a week, remember to take it on the same day each week. It may help to mark your calendar with a reminder.
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. Do not take other supplements/vitamins unless ordered by your doctor.
What Is Cholecalciferol?
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.
What Are The Main Differences Between Vitamin D And D3?
The term vitamin D is kind of a misnomer because you will not find anything labeled simply as “vitamin D” in a pharmacy vitamin aisle. Or vitamin D3 (What is vitamin D3?). For the purpose of this article, when vitamin D is mentioned, it will refer to vitamin D2.
Vitamin D (D2) comes from plant sources, such as wild mushrooms, as well as fortified foods, such as milk or cereal products. Its strength is typically measured in international units, which is abbreviated as “IU” on labeling. Vitamin D is less expensive to produce and therefore is the form most commonly found in fortified food products.
Vitamin D3 mainly comes from animal sources such as fish oil, fatty fish, liver, and egg yolks. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces vitamin D3. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the sunshine vitamin.
All forms of vitamin D3 are available over-the-counter.
What Is The Brand Name?
Why Is This Medication Prescribed?
Cholecalciferol is available without a prescription, but your doctor may prescribe cholecalciferol to treat certain conditions. Follow the directions on your product label or doctor’s instructions carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than recommended by your doctor.
Cholecalciferol supplements are available alone and in combination with vitamins, and in combination with medication.