Ergocalciferol Vitamin D2

Ergocalciferol Vitamin D2 Brand Names

Calcidol | Calciferol | Deltalin | Drisdol | Ergo D

What is Ergocalciferol Vitamin D2

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin and has two primary forms: cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and ergocalciferol (vitamin D2).

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.

Ergocalciferol is available as a supplement and is found in fortified milk and cereal products; liver, fish liver oils, fatty fish, and egg yolks from hens have also been supplemented with vitamin D.

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 ergocalciferol 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.

Ergocalciferol was approved by the FDA in 1940. The injectable form of ergocalciferol has not been available since 2004; oral formulations remain commercially available.

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

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
  • children
  • Crohn’s disease
  • cystic fibrosis
  • fat malabsorption
  • gallbladder disease
  • hepatic disease
  • hypercalcemia
  • hypervitaminosis D
  • infants
  • malabsorption syndrome
  • neonates
  • pregnancy
  • premature neonates
  • renal disease
  • renal failure
  • tartrazine dye hypersensitivity

Interactions

  • Aluminum Hydroxide
  • Aluminum Hydroxide; Magnesium Carbonate
  • Aluminum Hydroxide; Magnesium Hydroxide
  • Aluminum Hydroxide; Magnesium Hydroxide; Simethicone
  • Aluminum Hydroxide; Magnesium Trisilicate
  • Calcium Carbonate; Magnesium Hydroxide
  • Castor Oil
  • Cholestyramine
  • Colesevelam
  • Colestipol
  • Hydantoins
  • Isoniazid, INH; Pyrazinamide, PZA; Rifampin
  • Isoniazid, INH; Rifampin
  • Magnesium
  • Magnesium Citrate
  • Magnesium Hydroxide
  • Mineral Oil
  • Orlistat
  • Phosphorus
  • Rifampin
  • Thiazide diuretics
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