Warnings
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.
Why You Need Vitamin D3
Unlike other vitamins, it doesn’t occur naturally in food but can be made in the body.
But modern humans don’t get much sunlight, so we end up at the vitamin counter, often confused about what to buy. Our bodies make vitamin D3, cholecalciferol. At the supplement counter, you can choose from D3 or D2.
Vitamin D2 is ergocalciferol, which differs slightly from D3 but behaves the same way in the body. D3 is slightly more potent. D2 is derived from plant sources.
Vitamin D is fat-soluble (absorbed along with fats), but taking it with oily foods isn’t necessary. You can also get vitamin D from food. In the United States, many foods such as soy, almond, and oat milk are fortified with vitamin D. Few foods in their natural state contain vitamin.
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. Rather, your choices will be vitamin D2 (What is vitamin D2?). Or vitamin D3 (What is vitamin D3?).
Generally, when one mentions vitamin D, the implied selection is 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. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces vitamin D3. All forms of vitamin D3 are available over-the-counter.
Main Differences Between Vitamin D And D3 Vitamin D2 Vitamin D3 Drug Class Vitamin D Analog Vitamin D Analog Brand/Generic Status Brand And Generic Available Brand And Generic Available What Is The Generic Name?
What Is The Brand Name?
Oral Tablets And Capsules, Oral Liquid Solution Oral Tablets And Capsules, Oral Liquid Solution, Sublingual Liquid Solution What Is The Standard Dosage?
1,000 Iu To 2,000 Iu Daily For Vitamin D Supplementation 1,000 Iu To 2,000 Iu Daily For Vitamin D Supplementation How Long Is The Typical Treatment?
Indefinite Indefinite Who Typically Uses The Medication?
Vitamin D3 Overview
Ll you how much medicine to use. Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription. Oral liquid: Use the dropper that comes with the package to measure the dose.Adults and adolescents: Drop the liquid directly into the mouth or mix it with food or other liquids (water or juice).Children 2 years of age and older: Drop the liquid directly into the mouth, mix it with food or other liquids (water or juice), or take it from a spoon.Children younger than 2 years of age: Place one drop of the liquid on the pacifier, mother’s nipple, or bottle nipple and allow baby to suck for at least 30 seconds.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not swallow whole. Oral liquid: Use the dropper that comes with the package to measure the dose.Adults and adolescents: Drop the liquid directly into the mouth or mix it with food or other liquids (water or juice).Children 2 years of age and older: Drop the liquid directly into the mouth, mix it with food or other liquids (water or juice), or take it from a spoon.Children younger than 2 years of age: Place one drop of the liquid on the pacifier, mother’s nipple, or bottle nipple and allow baby to suck for at least 30 seconds.
Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescriptio.