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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
- familial hypocholesterolemia
- hereditary vitamin D resistant rickets
- hypoparathyroidism
- nutritional supplementation
- osteoporosis
- premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- renal osteodystrophy
- rickets
- vitamin D deficiency
Side Effects
- constipation
- fatigue
- growth inhibition
- headache
- hypercalcemia
- hypercalciuria
- hypervitaminosis D
- increased urinary frequency
- irritability
- nausea
- 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