Vitamin D

Vitamin D (Calciferol, Ergocalciferol, Rocaltrol)

Category:

Vitamin

Description:

Dietary supplement; fat-soluble vitamin

Indications:

Vitamin D deficiency
- Ricketts in children
- Osteomalacia in elderly
Familial hypophosphatemia
Familial hypoparathyroidism
Bone, cartilage development
Calcium absorption

Contraindications:

Do not administer intravenously.

Precautions:

Pregnancy category C
Potency is expressed in the form of International Units (IU)
Vitamin D is considered a hormone that promotes active absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine.
Vitamin D deficiency leads to progressive hearing loss, rickets and/or osteomalacia.
Patients may develop hypervitaminosis D with excessive dosages (greater than 60,000 IU per day). Symptoms of hypervitaminosis D are:
- Hypercalcemia
- Hypercalciuria
- Hyperphosphatemia
- Anorexia
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Weight loss
- Vague aches and stiffness
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Mental retardation and a multitude of other symptoms.

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

Relatively non-toxic in therapeutic doses
Early: weakness, headache, somnolence, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, myalgia
Late:
- Polyuria
- Polydypsia
- Anorexia
- Irritability
- Nocturia

Dosage:

Dietary sources: Converted from dietary cholesterol by UV radiation (sunlight exposure), milk (Vitamin D fortified), oily fish, liver, eggs
Administered orally (soft gelatin capsules, tablets, liquid) and IM injection
Dietary supplementation (RDA: recommended daily allowance):
- Adults <25 years old: 400 IU per day
- Adults >25 years old: 200 IU per day
Vitamin D resistant rickets: 12,000-500,000 IU per day
Hypoparathyroidism: 50,000-200,000 IU per day
Familial hypophosphatemia: 10,00-80,000 IU per day

Source: Operational Medicine 2001, Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300