Cholecalciferol Vitamin D3

Cholecalciferol Vitamin D3 Brand Names

D3 Vitamin | DECARA | D-Vita | MAXIMUM D3 | Replesta | Thera-D 2000 | Thera-D 4000 | Thera-D Rapid Repletion | THERA-D SPORT

What is Cholecalciferol Vitamin D3

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and has two primary forms: cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃) and ergocalciferol (vitamin D₂). Various foods are fortified with vitamin D, including milk and cereal.

Other dietary sources include fish liver oils, fatty fish, and eggs from hens that have been supplemented with vitamin D.

The chemical structure differences between the two forms of vitamin D do not affect the metabolism or clinical responses once activated within the body. Although animal experiments have indicated a difference in toxicity between vitamin D₃ and vitamin D₂, human studies have been inconclusive.

Vitamin D is responsible for appropriate calcium and phosphate balance and is required for normal bone growth and mineralization.

Patient specific dosing can be determined by measuring 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum concentrations, which represent all sources of vitamin D (e.g., sunlight and dietary or from supplements).

Although cholecalciferol is labeled for use in several disease states, the primary use is now for vitamin D supplementation and the prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency and rickets.

Indications

1. familial hypocholesterolemia
2. hereditary vitamin D resistant rickets
3. hypoparathyroidism
4. nutritional supplementation
5. osteoporosis
6. premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
7. renal osteodystrophy
8. rickets
9. vitamin D deficiency

For dosing conversion, 1 mcg vitamin D = 40 International Units.

For nutritional supplementation of vitamin D based on recommended dietary reference intakes

NOTE: Patients with increased risk for deficiency of vitamin D (e.g., cystic fibrosis and other conditions causing chronic fat malabsorption, patients with chronic kidney disease, patients with HIV, or patients taking certain enzyme-inducing medications, etc.) may require higher supplemental doses than those recommended for healthy individuals to maintain normal vitamin D status.

In such persons, 25(OH)D concentrations can be used to guide adequate dietary supplementation.

Side Effects

1. constipation
2. fatigue
3. growth inhibition
4. headache
5. hypercalcemia
6. hypercalciuria
7. hypervitaminosis D
8. increased urinary frequency
9. irritability
10. nausea
11. polydipsia

Monitoring Parameters

• serum 25(OH)hydroxyvitamin D concentrations

Contraindications

• biliary tract disease
• breast-feeding
• Crohn’s disease
• cystic fibrosis
• fat malabsorption
• gallbladder disease
• hepatic disease
• hypercalcemia
• hypervitaminosis D
• malabsorption syndrome
• pregnancy
• renal disease
• renal failure

Interactions

There are no drug interactions associated with Cholecalciferol, Vitamin D3 products.