When the amount of vitamin D in the diet is insufficient, dietary supplements containing cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) are taken. Individuals with gastrointestinal disorders (GI; affecting the stomach or intestines) like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease as well as elderly adults, breastfed infants, persons with dark complexion, obese people, and people with limited sun exposure are particularly at risk for vitamin D insufficiency. Together with calcium, cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is also used to prevent and treat bone conditions such osteoporosis, rickets, and osteomalacia, which are all caused by a deficiency of vitamin D. Rickets is a disorder in which children’s bones develop softer and weaker than those of adults. The vitamin D analogs drug family includes cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). The body need cholecalciferol for strong bones, muscles, and nerves as well as to maintain the immune system. It functions by encouraging the body to absorb more calcium from meals or supplements.

The oral dosage forms of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) include capsules, gel capsules, chewable gel (gummies), tablets, and liquid drops. Depending on the preparation, your age, and your health condition, it is typically taken once or twice day. Although cholecalciferol is accessible over the counter, some medical conditions may require a prescription from your doctor. Before using a supplement containing cholecalciferol (vitamin D), consult your physician or pharmacist. Cholecalciferol should be taken at roughly the same time each day. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions you do not understand, and carefully follow the guidelines on your product’s label or your doctor’s instructions. Take cholecalciferol as prescribed by your doctor. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than your doctor has prescribed.

You can give your child cholecalciferol liquid drops to put in their food or beverages.

Supplements containing cholecalciferol are available alone, in combination with vitamins, and in combination with drugs.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking cholecalciferol,

• If you have an allergy to cholecalciferol, any other drugs, or any of the ingredients in cholecalciferol products, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, herbal items, nutritional supplements, and any drugs you are now taking or intend to take. Any of the following should be mentioned: carbamazepine and calcium supplements, thiazide diuretics (often known as “water pills”), or other cholecalciferol (vitamin D) supplements and fortified foods, cholestyramine (Prevalite), multivitamins, orlistat (Alli, Xenical), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), prednisone (Rayos), etc. Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you have renal disease, high blood calcium levels, or hyperparathyroidism (a condition in which the body creates excessive amounts of PTH, a hormone needed to regulate the amount of calcium in the blood).
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).

You should consume calcium-rich meals and beverages when using cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) to treat and prevent bone disorders. Inform your doctor if you have trouble consuming enough calcium-rich foods. Your doctor may then suggest or prescribe a calcium supplement in that situation.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

The vitamin D3 cholecalciferol may have negative effects. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Reduced appetite
• Slim down
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation

Further negative effects of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) are possible. If you experience any strange issues while using this vitamin, call your doctor.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone if you have a serious side event.

Keep this vitamin out of the reach of children and tightly closed in the container it comes in. Keep it at normal temperature, away from sources of extreme heat and moisture.

All medications should be kept out of the sight and reach of children, as many of the containers (such as weekly pill containers and those for eye drops, lotions, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for small children to open. Always lock safety caps and put the medication in a secure spot right away, up high and out of young children’s sight and reach, to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilizing a medicine take-back program is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programs in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back program, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Reduced appetite
• Slim down
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Weakness

Keep all of your doctor’s appointments.

If you have any inquiries concerning cholecalciferol, ask your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.