VITAMIN D

Brand & Generic Names

ALFACALCIDOL	DIHYDROTACHYSTEROL
Calciferol	Drisdol
CALCIFEDIOL	ERGOCALCIFEROL
Calcijex	Hytakerol
CALCITRIOL	One-Alpha
Calderol	Ostoforte
Deltalin	Radiostol
DHT	Radiostol Forte
DHT Intensol	Rocaltrol
Numerous other multiple vitam	in-mineral supplements. Check
labels.

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Low strength: No High strength: Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Vitamin supplement

Uses

• Dietary supplement.
• Prevention of rickets (bone disease).
• Treatment for hypocalcemia (low blood calcium) in kidney disease.
• Treatment for postoperative muscle contractions.
• Daily supplement for people who must use sunscreen daily.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet, capsule or liquid--Swallow with liquid.
Drops--Dilute dose in beverage.
Injection--Take under doctor's supervision.

When to take:
As directed, usually once a day at the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take up to 12 hours late. If more than 12 hours, wait for next dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Maintains growth and health.
Prevents rickets.
Essential so body can use calcium and phosphate.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 hours. May require 2 to 3 weeks of continual use for maximum effect.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs or drugs in Interaction Section without consulting doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, weight loss; bone and muscle pain; increased urination, cloudy urine; mood or mental changes (possible psychosis); high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat; eye irritation or light sensitivity; itchy skin.

WHAT TO DO:

Overdose unlikely to threaten life. If person takes much larger amount than prescribed, call doctor, poison-control center or hospital emergency room for instructions.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

Headache, metallic taste in mouth, thirst, dry mouth, constipation, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, weakness, cloudy urine, sensitivity to light.

Rare:

• Increased urination, pink eye, psychosis, severe abdominal pain, fever.
• Muscle pain, bone pain, diarrhea.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to medicine containing vitamin D.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you plan to become pregnant while taking vitamin D.
• If you have epilepsy.
• If you have heart or blood vessel disease.
• If you have kidney disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

Pregnancy:
No problems expected with dose that meets normal daily requirements. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected, but consult doctor.

Infants & children:

• Avoid large doses.
• Keep vitamins out of children's reach.

Prolonged use:

• No problems expected.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check kidney function, liver function, serum calcium.

Skin & sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to light.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
No problems expected.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:

• Don't exceed dose. Too much over a long time may be harmful.
• A balanced diet should provide all the vitamin D a healthy person needs and make supplements unnecessary. Best sources are fish and vitamin-D fortified milk and bread.
• Some products contain tartrazine dye. Avoid, if allergic (especially aspirin hypersensitivity).
• Sunscreen prevents the body from manufacturing vitamin D from sunshine. Take supplementary vitamin D if you use sunscreen daily. Ask doctor for dosage.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids* (magne-	Possible excess
sium-containing)	magnesium.
Anticonvulsants,	Decreased vitamin D
hydantoin*	effect.
Calcium	Excess calcium in
(high doses)	blood.
Calcium channel	Possible decreased
blockers*	effect of calcium-channel blockers.
Calcium	Excessive absorption
supplements*	of vitamin D.
Cholestyramine	Decreased vitamin D effect.
Colestipol	Decreased vitamin D absorption.
Cortisone	Decreased vitamin D effect.
Digitalis	Heartbeat
preparations*	irregularities.
Diuretics, thiazide*	Possible increased calcium.
Mineral oil	Decreased vitamin D effect.
Neomycin	Decreased vitamin D absorption.
Nicardipine	Decreased nicardipine effect.
Phenobarbital	Decreased vitamin D effect.
Phosphorous	Accumulation of
preparations*	excess phosphorous.
Rifampin	Possible decreased vitamin D
	effect.
Vitamin D, other	Possible toxicity.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	None expected.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.