Delta D3 Oral

Cholecalciferol is a dietary supplement that is used to treat vitamin D deficiency. It is also used with calcium to maintain bone strength.

This medicine is available both over-the-counter (OTC) and with your doctor's prescription.

This section provides information on the proper use of a number of products that contain cholecalciferol. It may not be specific to Delta D3. Please read with care.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not use more of it, do not use it more often, and do not use it for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

If you are using this medicine without a prescription, follow the instructions on the package.

The chewable wafer must be chewed or crushed. Do not swallow the wafer whole.

Using the oral liquid:

• Use the dropper that comes with the package to measure your dose.
• Adults and adolescents: Drop the liquid directly into the mouth or mix it with food or other liquids (eg, water or juice).
• Children 2 years of age and older: Drop the liquid directly into the mouth, mix it with food or other liquids (eg, water or juice), or take it from a spoon.
• Children younger than 2 years of age: Place one drop of the liquid on the pacifier, mother's nipple, or bottle nipple and allow baby to suck for at least 30 seconds.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For vitamin D deficiency:
  • For oral dosage form (capsules):
    • Adults—One capsule containing 5000 international units (IU) once a day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For oral dosage form (solution):
    • Adults—One drop containing 1000 international units (IU) once a day or 2 times per day.
    • Infants and children—One drop containing 400 IU once a day.
  • For oral dosage form (wafer):
    • Children 6 years of age and older—One wafer containing 14,000 international units (IU) once a week for 6 weeks.
    • Children younger than 6 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits. This will allow your doctor to see if the medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it.

Before taking vitamin D, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other vitamin D products (such as calcitriol); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as peanut/soy), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: high calcium/vitamin D levels (hypercalcemia/hypervitaminosis D), difficulty absorbing nutrition from food (malabsorption syndrome), kidney disease, liver disease.

Liquid products, chewable tablets, or dissolving tablets may contain sugar and/or aspartame. Liquid products may also contain alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, liver disease, phenylketonuria (PKU), or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid these substances in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, doses of vitamin D greater than the recommended dietary allowance should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: phosphate binders.

Check the labels on all your prescription and nonprescription/herbal products (such as antacids, laxatives, vitamins) because they may contain calcium, magnesium, phosphate, or vitamin D. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

Vitamin D is very similar to calcitriol. Do not use medications containing calcitriol while using vitamin D.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including cholesterol tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.