Ergocalciferol: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Ergocalciferol?

What is ergocalciferol for?

Vitamin D (ergocalciferol-D2, cholecalciferol-D3, alfacalcidol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Having the right amount of vitamin D, calcium and phosphorus is important for you as it builds and keeps bones strong. This drug is generally used to treat and prevent bone disorders (such as rickets, osteomalacia). Vitamin D is made by the body naturally when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Sunscreen, protective clothing, minimal sun exposure, dark skin, and age can prevent the body from getting enough vitamin D from the sun.
Vitamin D together with calcium is used to treat or prevent bone loss (osteoporosis). Vitamin D is also used in conjunction with other medicines to treat low levels of calcium or phosphate caused by certain conditions such as hypoparathyroidism, pseudohipoparathyroidism, family hypophosphatemia. This medicine can be used in patients with kidney disease to maintain normal calcium levels and allow normal bone growth. Vitamin D drops or other supplements are usually given to breastfed babies because breast milk usually has low levels of vitamin D.

How should I use ergocalciferol?

Take this medication as directed by your doctor. This medication is best absorbed by the body if taken after a meal but you can take this medication before eating. The drug Alfacalcidol is usually taken after meals. Before taking the medicine, don't forget to follow all the directions on the product packaging. If you are unsure about the information on the package, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

The dosage given is based on your medical condition, amount of sun exposure, diet, age, and your response to treatment.

Measure out liquid medicine with the dropper provided, or use a spoon / dose measuring device to make sure you are taking the right dose. If you are taking chewable tablets, chew the medicine thoroughly before you swallow it. Do not swallow the drug whole.

Certain drugs (bile acid sequestrants such as cholestyramine / colestipol, mineral oil, orlistat) can decrease the absorption of this drug. Try to take these medications a few hours after you take vitamin D (at least 2 hours or more). Time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should wait between doses and the best time to take this medicine is before you go to sleep. Ask your doctor to help determine a dosing schedule that is right for you.

Take this medicine regularly to get optimal benefits. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day. If you take this medication only once a week, remember to keep taking your medication the same day each week. This can make it easier to remember.

If your doctor has recommended that you follow a special diet (such as a diet high in calcium) you will need to stick to the diet so that you can really benefit from this medicine and at the same time prevent serious side effects. Do not use other supplements / vitamins unless your doctor has approved them.
If you think you have a serious medical problem, seek medical help immediately.

How is ergocalciferol stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Ergocalciferol dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of ergocalciferol for adults?

Adult Dose for Hypocalcemia

50,000 to 200,000 units orally or IM once a day.

Adult Dose for Hypoparathyroidism

25,000 to 200,000 units orally or IM once a day. Must be given at the same time as a calcium supplement.

Adult Dose for Familial Hypophosphatemia

Oral or IM:

250-1500 mcg / day (10,000 to 60,000 international units) given concurrently with phosphate supplements

Adult Dose for Osteomalacia

2000-5000 units each time you drink, once a day. In patients who have difficulty digesting vitamin D, the dosage is 10,000 units of IM once daily or changed from 10,000 to 300,000 units orally once daily.

Adult Dose for Renal Osteodystrophy

20,000 units orally or IM once a day.

Adult Dose for Vitamin D Deficiency

1000 units per dose once a day. In patients who have difficulty digesting vitamin D, the dosage is as much as 10,000 units of IM once daily or changed from 10,000 to 100,000 units orally once daily.

Adult dosage for Rickets

Drink or IM

Vitamin D-dependent rickets (in addition to calcium supplements): 250 mcg 1.5 mg / day (10,000 to 60,000 international units); doses of up to 12.5 mg / day may be given if required by the patient.

Nutritional rickets:

Adults with normal absorption: 25-125 mg / day (1,000 to 5,000 international units) given for 6 to 12 weeks

Adults with absorption difficulties: 250-7500 mcg / day (10,000 to 300,000 international units)

Adult Dose for Vitamin / Mineral Supplementation

400 units taken once a day.

What is the dose of ergocalciferol for children?

Children's Dose for Vitamin / Mineral Supplements

Drink:

As a dietary supplement for the prevention of Vitamin D deficiency:

Dietary Intake Reference (DIR) (1997 National Academy of Science Recommendation): Neonates, and Children: 200 international units / day.

(Note: DIR under review as of March 2009)

Alternative dosage:

Age 1 month to 12 years (Wagner, 2008): 10 mcg / day (400 international units / day)

gestational age less than 38 weeks: 10 to 20 mcg / day (400 to 800 international units), up to 750 mcg / day (30,000 international units)

1 month to 1 year full age or still breastfeeding: 10 mcg / day (400 international units / day) which can be started within a few days after the baby is born. Supplementation is continued until the baby is weaned at a dose of 1,000 mL / day or 1 qt / day of formula milk fortified with vitamin D (after 12 months of age)

Non-breastfed infants and children who consume less than 1,000 mL of fortified milk: 10 mcg / day (400 international units / day)

Children who are at risk for vitamin D deficiency (chronic fat malabsorption, taking chronic anti-seizure drugs): Higher doses may be needed. Laboratory testing (25 (OH) D, PTH, bone mineral state) should be used to evaluate.

Adolescents without adequate nutritional intake: 10 mcg / day (400 international units / day)

Children's Dose for Hypoparathyroidism

50,000 to 200,000 units orally or IM once a day. Must be given at the same time as a calcium supplement.

Children's Dose for Osteomalacia

1000 to 5000 units taken once a day. In patients who have difficulty digesting vitamin D, the dosage is 10,000 units IM once a day or 10,000 to 25,000 units orally once daily.

Children's Dose for Renal Osteodystrophy

4000 to 40,000 units orally or IM once a day.

Children's Dose for Rickets

Drink or IM:

Vitamin D-dependent rickets (in addition to calcium supplements):

Age less than 1 month: 25 mcg / day (1,000 international units) for 2 to 3 months; evidence of radiological cure should be observed occasionally, the dose should be reduced to 10 mcg / day (400 international units / day).

1 to 12 months of age: 25-125 mcg / day (1,000 to 5,000 international units) for 2 to 3 months; evidence of radiological cure should be observed occasionally, the dose should be reduced to 10 mcg / day (400 international units / day).

Age 12 months and over: 125-250 mcg / day (5,000 to 10,000 international units) given for 2 to 3 months; evidence of radiological cure should be observed occasionally, the dose should be reduced to 10 mcg / day (400 international units / day).

Nutritional rickets:

Children with normal absorption: 25-125 mcg / day (1,000 to 5,000 international units) for 6 to 12 weeks.

Children with malabsorption: 250-625 mcg / day (10,000 to 25,000 international units)

Child dosage for familial hypophosphatemia

Oral or IM:

Initial dose: 1000-2000 mcg / day (40,000 to 80,000 international units) with phosphate supplementation. The daily dose can be increased from 3 to 4 month intervals of 250 to 500 mcg (10,000 to 20,000 international units) gradually.

Child dosage for Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency or other substance deficiency associated with CKD (stages 2-5, 5D): serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25 D) levels less than 30 ng / mL:

Serum 25 (OH) D less than 5 ng / mL: Children: 8000 international units / day given for 4 weeks then increased to 4000 international units / day for 2 months total therapy time of 3 months or 50,000 international units / week given during 4 weeks followed by 50,000 international units given 2 times / month for a total therapy time of 3 months.

The maintenance dosage is 200-1000 international units / day.

Dose adjustment: Monitored 25 (OH) D, corrected total calcium and phosphorus levels 1 month after starting therapy, every 3 months during therapy and with a change in Vitamin D dose.

Prevention and treatment for children who are deficient in vitamin D cystic fibrosis:

Infants less than 1 year old: 400 international units / day.
Children over 1 year: 400-800 international units / day.

In what dosage is ergocalciferol available?

Kapusl, drinkable: 50,000 units

Solution, Oral: 8000 units

Tablet, Oral: 40 units, 2000 units

Ergocalciferol side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to ergocalciferol?

Seek medical help if you experience signs of an allergic reaction such as hives. hard to breath; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• problems with thinking, changes in behavior, feelings of irritability
• urinating more often than usual
• chest pain, feeling short of breath
• early signs of a vitamin D overdose (weakness, metallic taste in your mouth, weight loss, bone or muscle pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting).

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Ergocalciferol Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using ergocalciferol?

Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have:

• high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia)
• high levels of vitamin D in your body (hypervitaminosis D)
• a condition that makes it difficult for your body to absorb food nutrients (malabsorption).

Is ergocalciferol safe for pregnant and lactating women?

When pregnant, it is important that you get enough vitamin D. The healthy growth and development of a baby depends on the supply of nutrients from the mother. You may need additional vitamin D supplements if you are a vegetarian or you rarely have sun exposure and if you don't drink vitamin D fortified milk.

If you take too much alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, or ergocalciferol, it will be harmful to the fetus. If you use more of this medicine than recommended by your doctor, it will cause your baby to be more sensitive than the effects, for example it can cause parathyroid gland problems, and can cause the baby's heart to be deformed.

Doxercalciferol or paricalcitol has not been studied whether or not it is safe when used in pregnant women. However, animal studies have shown that paricalcitol can cause problems in newborns. Before using this medicine, make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you are in the process of becoming pregnant.

If you are breastfeeding, you need to get enough vitamins so that your baby is getting enough nutrients for his growth. Infants who are breastfed and exposed to sunlight less frequently need additional vitamin D supplements. However, do not use too many dietary supplements while breastfeeding as this may harm the mother and / or baby.

Only a small amount of alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, or dihydrotachysterol passes into breast milk and so far no problems have been reported in infants.

It should be noted that it is not known whether doxercalciferol or paricalcitol passes into breast milk. Make sure you discuss the risks and benefits of supplements with your doctor first.

Ergocalciferol Drug Interactions

What drugs may interact with ergocalciferol?

Although there are certain drugs that should not be used together with this drug, in other cases two different drugs can be used together even if an interaction is possible. In this case, your doctor may want to change the dose, or take other precautions that may be needed.

Can food or alcohol interact with ergocalciferol?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with ergocalciferol?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• heart or blood vessel disease. Use of alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, or dihydrotachysterol can cause hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) which may worsen the condition.
• Kidney illness. High levels of alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, or ergocalciferol in the blood can lead to possible side effects.
• sarcoidosis. May increase sensitivity to alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, or ergocalciferol and increase the chance of side effects

Ergocalciferol overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department. Vitamin D overdose can cause serious and life-threatening side effects.
Symptoms of overdose can include headache, weakness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle or bone pain, metallic taste in the mouth, weight loss, itchy skin, changes in heart rate, loss of sexual appetite, confusion, behavior and symptoms. unusual thoughts, feeling hot, stabbing pain in the upper abdomen radiating to the back, and fainting.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.