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VITAMIN D

  • Writer: Komal Kolekar
    Komal Kolekar
  • Jul 4
  • 4 min read

Updated: Jul 5

Yellow capsules spill from a white bottle onto a beige surface. A white spoon holds some capsules. Green leaves in the blurred background.

Introduction:

Vitamin D, another name is calciferol, is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be obtained as a dietary supplement and is found naturally in a few foods It is also endogenously synthesized by the skin on exposure to sunlight and therefore called as sunshine vitamin. It is necessary to provide strong bones by controlling the flow of calcium and phosphorus into and out of the skeleton and absorbing them into the body. Vitamin D also has other roles in body including reduction of inflammation as well as modulation of processes as cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and glucose metabolism. Two forms of Vitamin D are vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) found in plant foods and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) found in animal foods.

 

Sources of Vitamin D-

  • Flesh of fatty fish( salmon,trout)

  • Cod liver oil

  • Cheese

  • Egg yolk

  • Mushroom

  • Fortified cereals

  • Fortified milk

 

Function :

  1. It is used to treat osteomalacia

  2. Used for bone disorder that occurs in people with kidney disease.

  3. Preventing and treating rickets.

  4. It helps prevent bone loss and bone breaks in people with osteoporosis.

  5. It reduce symptoms of hay fever in adults and children.

  6. It prevents tooth loss in elderly people.

    Elderly woman in blue shirt holds her wrist with a pained expression, sitting on a beige couch against a plain background.

 

How to take:

  1. Take vitam D by mouth as directed. It is is best absorbed when taken after a meal but may be taken with or without food. Follow direction on product package.

  2. If you are taking the chewable tablet or wafers, chew the medication well before ingesting it.

  3. If you are taking the medication in liquid form, use a specialized measuring tool to accurately measure the dosage.

  4. If you are taking the rapidly dissolving pills, dry your hands before handling the medication. Each dose should be placed on the tongue and allowed to dissolve completely before being swallowed with water or saliva.


Duration between two doses:

For Vitamin D supplementation, the duration between doses can vary depending on the individual's needs and the type of supplementation, daily, weekly or monthly and important to consult doctor for personalized advice

  • For daily supplementation- Individual with severe deficiencies may advised to take doses 1000-2000 IU.

  • For weekly or monthly supplementation- Higher amount of doses is effective i.e 50,000 IU weekly or 20,000 IU monthly.

 

Storage Condition:

Vitamin D preparations (except alfacalcidol) should be kept at room temperature, free from moisture and light. Avoid keeping items in the restroom. Alfacalcidol drops should be kept refrigerated. Avoid freezing. All drugs should be kept out of the reach of kids and animals.

 

Symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency:

 

Grid showing symptoms of vitamin D deficiency with illustrations: bone pain, fatigue, mood changes, rickets, cramps, and muscle loss.

 

Drug mechanism:

Pharmacokinetics 

  1. The two primary forms of vitamin D found in foods and dietary supplements are D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol), which only differ chemically in their side-chain structures. In the small intestine, both forms are readily absorbed.

  2. It is distributed throughout the body, with the highest concentrations found in adipose tissue and muscles, with smaller amounts in the liver and other tissues.

  3. After  absorption, vitamin D is converted to 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in the liver and further converted to the active form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) in kidney.

  4. It is primarily excreted through the bile into the feces, with a small amount excreted through the urine. The biological half life of vitamin D is shorter i.e 15 hours.


Pharmacodynamics

Calcitriol interact with vitamin D receptors in the small intestine to enhance the efficiency of intestinal calcium and phosphorous absorption from about 10-15% to 80%. Furthermore, it attaches itself to osteoblasts' vitamin D receptors to activate a receptor activator of nuclear factor kB ligand (also known as RANKL), which then interacts with immature preosteoclasts' receptor activator of nuclear factor kB (NFkB) to develop them into mature bone-resorbing osteoclasts.

 

Side effects:

Side effects of vitamin D taking in excess include:

  1. Weakness

  2. Dry mouth

  3. Nausea

  4. Vomiting

  5. Poor appetite

  6. Weight loss

  7. Sore eyes

Long-term usage of vitamin D at doses greater than 4000 IU (100 mcg) per day may be hazardous and result in dangerously elevated blood calcium levels.


Allergic Reaction:

 Allergic reaction to this drug is rare. But some of it include :

  1. Rash

  2. Itching/swelling (especially of face/tongue/throat)

  3. Severe dizziness

  4. Trouble breathing

If you notice some other reaction than this then contact your doctor.

 

When to see doctor:

If you suspect a vitamin D deficiency or experience symptoms like fatigue, bone pain, muscle weakness, or mood changes than consult your doctor.

Man in a black tank top and shorts sits on a white floor holding his leg, grimacing in pain. Black sneakers visible.

 

Safety measures:

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Vitamin D is likely safe during pregnancy and breast-feeding when taken within recommended doses. It is important to consult healthcare provider to determine the dosage.

 

Kidney disease: Individual with kidney disease should consult healthcare provider as it might increase calcium levels and increase the risk of "hardening of the arteries”.

 

Lymphoma: Vitamin D might increase calcium levels in people with lymphoma and may lead to kidney stones and other problems. So it should be used  cautiously.

 

Available dosage form:

  • Available dosage form of Vitamin D

For children-

  • Babies(0-12months)-10mcg

  • 1-13 years- 15mcg

For Adult & Pediatric -

  • Tablet - 10mcg, 50mcg

  • Capsule - 1.25mg

  • Oral solution - 200mcg/mL

For Geriatric-

  • <70 years: 15mcg once daily by oral route

  • >70 years: 20 mcg once daily by oral route

 

Note: Consult Healthcare provider for appropriate dosage.


Important Note:

  1. Consult with healthcare provider- If concerned about your vitamin D levels or have any health concerns, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional.

  2. Dosage- The recommended daily intake of vitamin D varies depending on age and other factors, so it's important to follow the guidance of a healthcare provider

  3. Excessive Vitamin D- As vitamin D is essential and  excessive intake can be harmful so it's important to follow recommended dosages and not to take large doses of vitamin D supplements without consulting your doctor.

  4. Medication interaction- Medications can interact with vitamin D, so inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.

  5. Sunlight exposure- As sunlight is a good source of vitamin D, it's important to protect your skin from sunburns.

    Woman in orange shirt and white cap sits by river at sunset, text "Sunlight exposure," warm and peaceful scene.

 

Available Brands:

  1. List of vitamin D supplements on a blue background: Uprise-D3, Calcigen D3, Calcirol, Shelcal 500, Arachitol Nano.

Reference:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DISCLAIMER : We genuinely provide information about medicines. We don't provide any consultation service. Consult your doctor for any symptoms and for better health. CURESTA will not be responsible for any adverse conditions

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