Details

Cholecalciferol is a vitamin D3. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body. Cholecalciferol is used to treat or prevent many conditions caused by a lack of vitamin D, especially conditions of the skin or bones. To make sure you can safely take cholecalciferol, tell your doctor if you have heart disease kidney disease or an electrolyte imbalance. You should not use cholecalciferol if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have high levels of calcium in your blood high levels of vitamin D in your body any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

Typical Uses

Vitamin D (ergocalciferol-D2, cholecalciferol-D3, alfacalcidol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Having the right amount of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus is important for building and keeping strong bones. Vitamin D is used to treat and prevent bone disorders (such as rickets, osteomalacia). Vitamin D is made by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. Sunscreen, protective clothing, limited exposure to sunlight, dark skin, and age may prevent getting enough vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D with calcium is used to treat or prevent bone loss (osteoporosis). Vitamin D is also used with other medications to treat low levels of calcium or phosphate caused by certain disorders (such as hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism and familial hypophosphatemia). It may be used in kidney disease to keep calcium levels normal and allow normal bone growth. Vitamin D drops (or other supplements) are given to breast-fed infants because breast milk usually has low levels of vitamin D.

Side Effects

Stop taking cholecalciferol and contact your healthcare professional immediately if you experience thinking problems, changes in behaviour, feeling irritable urinating more than usual chest pain, feeling short of breath or early signs of vitamin D overdose (weakness, metallic taste in your mouth, weight loss, muscle or bone pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting).

Drug Interactions

• Cholecalciferol+calcitriol- Ask your doctor before using cholecalciferol together with calcitriol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with cholecalciferol and calcitriol, especially early in treatment during dosage adjustment. An estimate of daily dietary calcium intake should be made and the intake adjusted when indicated.

• Cholecalciferol+doxercalciferol- Ask your doctor before using cholecalciferol together with doxercalciferol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with cholecalciferol and doxercalciferol, especially early in treatment during dosage adjustment. An estimate of daily dietary calcium intake should be made and the intake adjusted when indicated.

• Cholecalciferol+paricalcitol- Ask your doctor before using cholecalciferol together with paricalcitol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with cholecalciferol and paricalcitol, especially early in treatment during dosage adjustment. An estimate of daily dietary calcium intake should be made and the intake adjusted when indicated.

Mechanism of action

Cholecalciferol promotes the absorption of calcium from the gut and helps maintain adequate calcium levels in the body. It regulates the blood levels of calcium and phosphorus and also plays key role in the re-absorption of calcium from bone tissue.

Pregnancy Category : A