Calciferol

No information provided. Please refer to the WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections.

Hypervitaminosis D is characterized by effects on the following organ system:

Renal

Impairment of renal function with polyuria, nocturia, polydipsia, hypercalciuria, reversible azotemia, hypertension, nephrocalcinosis, generalized vascular calcification, or irreversible renal insufficiency which may result in death.

CNS

Mental retardation.

Soft Tissues

Widespread calcification of the soft tissues, including the heart, blood vessels, renal tubules, and lungs.

Skeletal

Bone demineralization (osteoporosis) in adults occurs concomitantly.

Decline in the average rate of linear growth and increased mineralization of bones in infants and children (dwarfism), vague aches, stiffness, and weakness.

Gastrointestinal

Nausea, anorexia, constipation.

Metabolic

Mild acidosis, anemia, weight loss.

Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Calciferol (Ergocalciferol)

Ergocalciferol is vitamin D2. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body.

Ergocalciferol is used to treat hypoparathyroidism (decreased functioning of the parathyroid glands).

Ergocalciferol is also used to treat rickets (softening of the bones caused by vitamin D deficiency) or low levels of phosphate in the blood (hypophosphatemia).

Ergocalciferol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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).

To make sure you can safely take ergocalciferol, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• heart disease;

• coronary artery disease;

• kidney disease; or

• an electrolyte imbalance.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether ergocalciferol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Ergocalciferol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. 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, feeling unusually hot, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, or fainting.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• sucralfate (Carafate);

• mineral oil (sometimes taken as a laxative);

• seizure medication;

• steroids (prednisone and others);

• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin); or

• a diuretic (water pill) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor HCT, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others.

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with ergocalciferol. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

In the U.S.

• Calciferol
• Delta D3
• DHT
• DHT Intensol
• Drisdol
• Hectorol
• Rayaldee
• Rocaltrol
• Vitamin D
• Zemplar

In Canada

• D-Vi-Sol
• Radiostol Forte

Available Dosage Forms:

• Capsule, Liquid Filled
• Capsule
• Solution
• Tablet
• Capsule, Extended Release
• Oil
• Liquid
• Wafer
• Tablet, Chewable

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take this medicine. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with your doctor. Some products have tartrazine.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• If you are taking other sources of vitamin D, talk with your doctor.
• Follow the diet plan that your doctor told you about.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Calciferol while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
• Measure liquid doses carefully. Use the measuring device that comes with Calciferol. If there is none, ask the pharmacist for a device to measure this medicine.
• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
• Keep taking Calciferol as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

Applies to ergocalciferol: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral capsule, oral solution, oral tablet

Metabolic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypercalcemia
Frequency not reported: Hypervitaminosis D[Ref]

Hypervitaminosis D is characterized by: impairment of renal function with polyuria, nocturia, polydipsia, hypercalciuria, reversible azotemia, hypertension, nephrocalcinosis, generalized vascular calcification, or irreversible renal insufficiency which may result in death; mental retardation; widespread calcification of the soft tissues, including the heart, blood vessels, renal tubules, and lungs; bone demineralization (osteoporosis) in adults; decline in the average rate of linear growth and increased mineralization of bones in infants and children (dwarfism), vague aches, stiffness, and weakness; nausea, anorexia, constipation; and mild acidosis, anemia, and weight loss.[Ref]

Genitourinary

Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypercalciuria[Ref]

Dermatologic

Rare (less than 0.1%): Pruritus, rash, urticaria[Ref]

Some side effects of Calciferol may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.