Cholecalciferol is a vitamin D3. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the
stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body.
Cholecalciferol is used to treat or prevent many conditions caused by a lack of vitamin D,
especially conditions of the skin or bones.
Cholecalciferol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)?
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);
or
any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb
nutrients from food (malabsorption).
Before taking cholecalciferol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs,
or if you have:
heart disease;
kidney disease; or
an electrolyte imbalance.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take this medication.
Your cholecalciferol dose needs may change if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment, or if you are
breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)?
Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not
take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Cholecalciferol is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special
diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor.
You should become very familiar with the list of foods you must eat or avoid to help control your
condition.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait
until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
Do not
take extra medicine
to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)?
Your pharmacist has information about cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking cholecalciferol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect
such as:
thinking problems, changes in behavior, feeling irritable;
urinating more than usual;
chest pain, feeling short of breath; or
early signs of vitamin D overdose (weakness, metallic taste
in your mouth, weight loss, muscle or bone pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you
have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood, or if you have any condition that makes it hard
for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).
Before taking cholecalciferol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have
heart disease, kidney disease, or an electrolyte imbalance.
Do not take other vitamin or mineral supplements unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid using calcium supplements or antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the
specific type of supplement or antacid your doctor recommends. Tell your doctor about all your
prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs
prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
An overdose of vitamin D can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.
Overdose symptoms may 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 interest in sex, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, severe pain in your upper
stomach spreading to your back, or fainting.
What should I avoid while taking cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)?
Do not take other vitamin or mineral supplements unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid using calcium supplements or antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the
specific type of supplement or antacid your doctor recommends.
What other drugs will affect cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)?
Before taking cholecalciferol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
seizure medication;
cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran);
colestipol (Colestid);
steroids (prednisone and others);
digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin); or
a diuretic (water pill) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril),
hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic),
chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and
others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
cholecalciferol. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications,
vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new
medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)?
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
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given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
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interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009