Vitamin D preparations are indicated for the following conditions-

• Vitamin D deficiency
• Osteoporosis
• Osteomalacia
• Hypocalcemia
• Tetany & Ricketts ( with deficiency of vitamin D3)

Vitamin D Deficiency

Osteoporosis (Brittle Bone)

Osteomalacia

Hypocalcemia (Low Calcium)

For capsule: Adults:

• Treatment of Vitamin D3 deficiency: 40000 IU once weekly for 7 weeks. Doses for maintenance therapy is 1400-2000 IU/day. To confirm the target level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D, measurement of it should be determined 3-4 months after initiating the maintenance therapy.
• Prevention of Vitamin D3 deficiency: 20000 IU every 4 weeks. Higher doses may be required in certain situations.
• Addition to specific therapy for osteoporosis: 20000 IU once a month.

For capsule: Children (12-18 years):

• Treatment of Vitamin D3 deficiency: 20000 IU once every 2 weeks for 6 weeks.
• Prevention of Vitamin D3 deficiency: 20000 IU every 6 weeks.

For film-coated tablet: 1000 IU (1-2 tablets) daily, or as directed by physician. Take the medicine with food or within 1 hour after a meal.

For oroflash or chewable tablets: 1000 IU to 2000 IU daily, or as directed by physician. Take the medicine with food or within 1 hour after a meal. Place the tablet in mouth swallow after chewing.

For Syrup:
For patients with risk of Cholecalciferol deficiency:

• 0-1 yr: 400 IU/ day (2 ml)
• >1 Yr: 600 lU/ day (3 ml)

For Cholecalciferol deficient patients:

• 0-1 yr: 2000 IU/ day (+50000 IU/week ) for 6 weeks
• 1 -18 yrs: 2000 IU/ day for 6 weeks.

Injection: Prevention: 

• Infants receiving Vitamin D enriched milk: 1/2 ampoule (0.5ml) i.e. 1,00000 I.U. every 6 months.
• Nursed infants or infants not receiving Vitamin D enriched milk or young children up to 5 years of age: 1 ampoule (1ml) i.e. 2,00000 I.U. every 6 months.
• Adolescents: 1 ampoule (1ml) i.e. 2,00000 I.U. every 6 months during winter.
• Pregnancy: 1/2 ampoule (0.5ml) i.e. 1,00000 I.U. from the 6th or 7th month of pregnancy.
• Elderly: 1/2 ampoule (0.5ml) i.e. 1,00000 I.U. every 3 months. Digestive disorders, concomitant treatment with antiepileptics & other particular condition not described above; 1/2 ampoule (0.5ml) i.e. 1,00000 I.U. or 1 ampoule (1ml) i.e. 2,00000 I.U. every 3 or 6 months.

Injection: Vitamin D deficiency:

• 1 ampoule (1ml) i.e. 2,00000 I.U. which can be repeated 1 to 6 months later. Or, as directed by the registered physician.

Side effects associated with the drug are-

• Hypercalcemia
• Hypercalciuria
• Skin rash
• Nausea
• Urticaria
• Pruritus

Hypercalcaemia/Hypercalcemia (High Calcium)

Rash

Urticaria

Nausea

Caution is advised while treating patients with renal impairment.