Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)
Generic Name: Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
Seek Urgent Medical Attention If:
Severe confusion, vomiting, cardiac arrhythmias secondary to severe hypercalcemia.
Uses & Medical Indications
Prevention and treatment of Vitamin D deficiency, rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and adjunctive therapy in postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis.
Vitamin D Deficiency, Osteoporosis, Rickets, Osteomalacia, Hypocalcemia
Dosage & Administration Guidelines
Severe Deficiency (<20 ng/mL): 60,000 IU orally once weekly for 8 weeks, followed by maintenance 1,000 to 2,000 IU daily (or 60,000 IU once monthly). Routine maintenance: 1,000 to 2,000 IU daily.
Infants (0-12 months): 400 IU daily. Children >1 year: 600 to 1,000 IU daily. Clinical rickets treatment: 2,000 IU daily or 60,000 IU weekly for 6 weeks under pediatrician guidance.
1,000 to 2,000 IU daily to prevent falls and osteoporotic fractures.
4,000 IU daily for routine adult maintenance (upper safe limit).
Severe renal failure (eGFR <30 mL/min) impairs 1-alpha-hydroxylation in the kidney; active Calcitriol is preferred over Cholecalciferol.
No adjustment required.
Side Effects & Safety Warnings
Virtually none at physiological doses.
Hypervitaminosis D / Vitamin D Toxicity (hypercalcemia, renal calcinosis, metastatic calcification, cardiac arrhythmias - occurs with massive prolonged overdoses).
Hypercalcemia, hypervitaminosis D, malabsorption syndrome, calcium nephrolithiasis.
Do not take high-dose 60,000 IU capsules daily; 60,000 IU is designed strictly for weekly or monthly administration.
Interactions (Drugs, Food & Alcohol)
Thiazide diuretics (increased risk of hypercalcemia), Digoxin (hypercalcemia potentiates digoxin toxicity), Orlistat (reduces absorption).
Take with a meal containing dietary fat (milk, yogurt, eggs, olive oil) for optimal intestinal micelle absorption.
No direct interaction.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Safety
Safe and recommended; maternal vitamin D sufficiency is vital for fetal skeletal development (1,000-2,000 IU daily).
Excreted in small amounts; breastfed infants should receive 400 IU daily direct supplementation.
Patient Counseling & Practical Advice
Always take your Vitamin D capsule with your largest meal of the day containing healthy fats for best absorption. If prescribed 60,000 IU, take it only ONCE A WEEK, not every day.
Take when remembered that week. Do not double up weekly capsules.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], serum calcium, albumin, phosphorus.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Content for Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) was synthesized and fact-checked against standardized regulatory monographs, official pharmacopoeias, and national health authorities:
- Endocrine Society — Evaluation, Treatment, and Prevention of Vitamin D Deficiency
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.