Details

Ergocalciferol is vitamin D2. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body. Ergocalciferol is used to treat hypoparathyroidism (decreased functioning of the parathyroid glands). Ergocalciferol is also used to treat rickets (softening of the bones caused by vitamin D deficiency) or low levels of phosphate in the blood (hypophosphatemia). To make sure you can safely take ergocalciferol, tell your doctor if you have heart disease coronary artery disease kidney disease or an electrolyte imbalance. Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia) high levels of vitamin D in your body (hypervitaminosis D) or 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 absorbs 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

Some of the side effects of ergocalciferol include 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

• Ergocalciferol+calcitriol- Ask your doctor before using ergocalciferol together with calcitriol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with ergocalciferol 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. You should be advised to avoid an abrupt increase in dietary calcium intake, as it may trigger high blood calcium levels.

• Ergocalciferol+doxercalciferol- Ask your doctor before using ergocalciferol together with doxercalciferol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with ergocalciferol 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. You should be advised to avoid an abrupt increase in dietary calcium intake, as it may trigger high blood calcium levels.

• Ergocalciferol+paricalcitol- Ask your doctor before using ergocalciferol together with paricalcitol. Blood calcium and phosphorus levels must be closely monitored during therapy with ergocalciferol 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. You should be advised to avoid an abrupt increase in dietary calcium intake, as it may trigger high blood calcium levels.

Mechanism of action

Ergocalciferol is a type of vitamin D. Vitamin D is mostly made in your skin by exposure to sunlight but you also get some from your diet. Foods that contain vitamin D are oily fish (such as sardine, herring, salmon and tuna) and eggs. Your body needs adequate supplies of vitamin D in order for it to absorb the calcium that you eat or drink in your diet.

Pregnancy Category : C