Vitamin D3
Description
Vitamin D3 is a supplement that helps in the normal functioning of your body. It helps in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous into your blood. Thus, this medicine is used in the prevention and treatment of vitamin D3 deficiency.
Vitamin D3 can rarely cause side effects like constipation, confusion, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, too much calcium in your blood or urine, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects remain for a long time or become worse.
Vitamin D3 is available in various forms like capsules, tablets, granules, dispersible tablets, mouth-dissolving tablets, injections, oral drops, solutions, spray, and orally disintegrating films. For oral forms, take this medicine as instructed by your doctor. For the ease of remembering, try taking it at the same time every day. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor. Vitamin D3 injections are administered by healthcare professionals in a hospital/clinic. Your doctor will determine the dose based on the severity of your condition.
Vitamin D3 is not recommended if you have kidney stones, or high calcium or vitamin D3 levels in your body. Inform your doctor about all your current medicine as they can interact with Vitamin D3 and increase the risk of side effects. Use this medicine with caution if you have pre-existing kidney problems. If you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Vitamin D3
- Increased blood calcium levels
- Increased calcium levels in urine
- Skin rash, hives, or itching
- Confusion
- Constipation
Uses of Vitamin D3
What is it prescribed for?
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Osteoporosis
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Osteomalacia and Rickets (bone disease due to Vitamin D deficiency)
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time taken by Vitamin D3 to show its effect is subject to vary based on the individual and intended use.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Vitamin D3 remains effective is subject to vary based on the individual and intended use.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Vitamin D3.
- Usage in pregnancy?The effect of Vitamin D3 during pregnancy is not known. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Vitamin D3 may pass into breastmilk. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine to understand its risks and benefits.
Hypercalcaemia
Vitamin D3 is not recommended if you have high calcium levels in your body. This medicine may further increase the blood calcium levels and lead to worsening of your health condition.
Hypervitaminosis D
Vitamin D3 is not recommended if you have abnormally high levels of Vitamin D3 in your body. Taking this medicine in such cases could lead to toxic accumulation in your body.
Allergy
Vitamin D3 is not recommended for use if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, swelling and/or itching (especially in the face, lips, throat), breathing difficulty, etc.
Kidney stones
Vitamin D3 is not recommended for use if you have kidney stones. This medicine may further increase the risk of developing stones which may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
The effect of Vitamin D3 during pregnancy is not known. Hence, consult your doctor if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Vitamin D3 may pass into breastmilk. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine to understand its risks and benefits.
General warnings
Other medicines
Vitamin D3 may interact with other medicines leading to decreased effectiveness of this medicine or increased risk of side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with Vitamin D3.
Malabsorption syndrome
Vitamin D3 is not recommended for use if you have health conditions that may lead to reduced absorption of nutrients from your stomach and intestine. It may lead to a decreased level of this medicine in your body and reduced effectiveness.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: Take the missed dose of Vitamin D3 as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed dose.
As Vitamin D3 injection is mostly administered by a healthcare professional in a clinical setting, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Never take more than the prescribed dose. Contact your doctor in case of an overdose of Vitamin D3.
Injection: As Vitamin D3 is mostly administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very less. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated by your doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Phenytoin
Digoxin
Corticosteroids
Calcitriol
Hydrochlorothiazide
Magnesium Hydroxide
Disease interactions
Arrhythmias
Vitamin D3 should be used with caution if you have arrhythmia (a heart condition that causes irregular heartbeats) as it may further worsen your condition. Your doctor may closely monitor the functioning of your heart and/or adjust the dose according to your condition.
Kidney Disease
Vitamin D3 should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as it may alter the effect of this medicine in your body. Your doctor may recommend other suitable alternatives if you have impaired kidney function.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take Vitamin D3 as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medicine preferably with a meal to help your body absorb vitamin D3. Do not take more than the prescribed dose.
Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicine or have any other medical conditions before taking this supplement.
Follow all the instructions given in the leaflet. Do not take Vitamin D3 after the date of expiry. Keep it away from children and pets.
Injection: Vitamin D3 injection is usually administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you develop any side effects during the first 30 minutes after having the injection.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Vitamin D3 works by promoting the absorption of calcium and phosphorous into your blood and helps in the normal functioning of your body.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Vitamins
Schedule
OTC
Ods.od.nih.gov. 2021. Office of Dietary Supplements - Vitamin D. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Cholecalciferol. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Desunin 4000 IU Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - DECARA HIGH POTENCY VITAMIN D3 VEGICAPS- cholecalciferol capsule. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Heyl-berlin.de. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Mri.cts-mrp.eu. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Topics, H., 2021. Vitamin D: MedlinePlus. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Generica. 2021. Vitamin D3 400 I.U. drops, 10 ml | Generica. [online] Available at: <ld/produkt/vitamin-d3-400-i-u-drops-10-ml/> [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - D-VITE PEDIATRIC ORAL LIQUID- cholecalciferol solution. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 21 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 20 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.