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 conditions.
Warnings
It’s typically used to treat people who have a vitamin D deficiency or related disorder, such as rickets or osteomalacia.
Side Effects
by mouth as directed. Follow all directions on the product package.
If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. If your doctor has prescribed this medication, take as directed by your doctor. If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon.
Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. If you are taking the chewable tablet or wafers, chew the medication thoroughly before swallowing. Do not swallow whole wafers.
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 think you may have a serious medical problem, get medical help right awa.
What Are The Main Differences Between Vitamin D And D3?
Or vitamin D3 (What is vitamin D3?). Generally, when one mentions vitamin D, the implied selection is vitamin D2. For the purpose of this article, when vitamin D is mentioned, it will refer to vitamin D2.
The names can be confusing, because many times, patients go into the pharmacy looking for vitamin D and are surprised that there is a D2 and a D3. 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. All forms of vitamin D3 are available over-the-counter.
What Is The Brand Name?
Ergocalciferol or vitamin D2
Drisdol, Calcidol, Calciferol Cholecalciferol, Vitamin D, Or Vitamin D3
Decara, Dialyvite D3 Max What Form(S) Does The Drug Come In?
Oral Tablets And Capsules, Oral Liquid Solution Oral Tablets And Capsules, Oral Liquid Solution, Sublingual Liquid Solution What Is The Standard Dosage?
Benefits
If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here’s our process. A person can also boost their vitamin D intake through certain foods or supplements.
Despite its name, vitamin D is not a vitamin, but a prohormone, or precursor of a hormone.