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Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

Source

The synthesis of vitamin D is a multi-stage process, beginning with 7-dehydrocholesterol extracted from the lanolin found in greasy sheep's wool. This is irradiated with high-intensity light to form preform vitamin D and then heated to form our final product vitamin D3.

Chemical Name

Cholecalciferol

Immune support

Vitamin D is a potent vitamin indicated for infection of the upper respiratory system. An abundant amount of research shows that taking vitamin D helps prevent respiratory infections in children and adults. A respiratory infection can be the flu, a cold, or an asthma attack triggered by a cold or other infection. Some research also supports that taking vitamin D during pregnancy reduces the risk of these infections in the child after birth.

Other uses

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) can be synthesized by humans in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation from sunlight, or it can be obtained from the diet however most of us don’t get enough safe exposure to the sun nor do we obtain enough in our diet. New research has revealed an increasingly important role for Vitamin D, including those listed below as well as conditions such as: depression, back pain, pre-eclampsia and macular degeneration.
Bone loss in people with overactive parathyroid (hyperparathyroidism-related bone loss). Taking vitamin D3 by mouth seems to reduce parathyroid hormone levels and bone loss in women with a condition called hyperparathyroidism.
Preventing tooth loss (tooth retention). Taking calcium and vitamin D3 by mouth appears to prevent tooth loss in elderly people.
Cavities. Analysis of clinical research suggests that taking vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 reduces the risk of cavities by 36% to 49% in infants, children and adolescents.
Heart failure. Some early research suggests that people with low vitamin D levels have an increased risk of developing heart failure compared to those with higher vitamin D levels. Some research shows that taking vitamin D supplements can help reduce the risk of developing heart failure in some women. Also, most research suggests that taking vitamin D supplements may decrease the risk of death in people with heart failure.

How it works

Vitamin D is required for the regulation of the minerals calcium and phosphorus found in the body. It also plays an important role in maintaining proper bone structure.

Safety

When taken by mouth: Vitamin D is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in recommended amounts. Most people do not commonly experience side effects with vitamin D, unless too much is taken. Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, and others. Taking vitamin D for long periods of time in doses higher than 4000 units daily is POSSIBLY UNSAFE and may cause excessively high levels of calcium in the blood. However, much higher doses are often needed for the short-term treatment of vitamin D deficiency. This type of treatment should be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

When given as a shot: Vitamin D is LIKELY SAFE when given as a shot into the muscle in recommended amounts. Most people do not commonly experience side effects with vitamin D, unless too much is taken. Some side effects of taking too much vitamin D include weakness, fatigue, sleepiness, headache, loss of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, and others.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Vitamin D is LIKELY SAFE during pregnancy and breast-feeding when used in daily amounts below 4000 units. Do not use higher doses unless instructed by your healthcare provider. Vitamin D is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in higher amounts during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Using higher doses might cause serious harm to the infant.

Children: Vitamin D is LIKELY SAFE in children when taken by mouth in recommended amounts. But it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take vitamin D in higher doses, long-term. Infants from 0-6 months should not take more than 1000 IU daily. Infants aged 6-12 months should not take more than 1500 IU daily. Children aged 1-3 years should not take more than 2500 IU daily. Children aged 4-8 years should not take more than 3000 IU daily. Children aged 9 years and older should not take more than 4000 IU daily.

Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis): Taking vitamin D could make this condition worse, especially in people with kidney disease.

A type of fungal infection called histoplasmosis: Vitamin D may increase calcium levels in people with histoplasmosis. This could lead to kidney stones and other problems. Use vitamin D cautiously.

High levels of calcium in the blood: Taking vitamin D could make this condition worse.

Over-active parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism): Vitamin D may increase calcium levels in people with hyperparathyroidism. Use vitamin D cautiously.

Lymphoma: Vitamin D may increase calcium levels in people with lymphoma. This could lead to kidney stones and other problems. Use vitamin D cautiously.

Kidney disease: Vitamin D may increase calcium levels and increase the risk of "hardening of the arteries" in people with serious kidney disease. This must be balanced with the need to prevent renal osteodystrophy, a bone disease that occurs when the kidneys fail to maintain the proper levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Calcium levels should be monitored carefully in people with kidney disease.

A disease that causes swelling (inflammation) in body organs, usually the lungs or lymph nodes (sarcoidosis): Vitamin D may increase calcium levels in people with sarcoidosis. This could lead to kidney stones and other problems. Use vitamin D cautiously.

Tuberculosis: Vitamin D might increase calcium levels in people with tuberculosis. This might result in complications such as kidney stones.

Interactions with medications

Aluminum

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Aluminum is found in most antacids. Vitamin D can increase how much aluminum the body absorbs. This interaction might be a problem for people with kidney disease. Take vitamin D two hours before, or four hours after antacids.

Atorvastatin (Lipitor)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Vitamin D might decrease the amount of atorvastatin (Lipitor) that enters the body. This might decrease how well atorvastatin (Lipitor) works.

Calcipotriene (Dovonex)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Calcipotriene is a drug that is similar to vitamin D. Taking vitamin D along with calcipotriene (Dovonex) might increase the effects and side effects of calcipotriene (Dovonex). Avoid taking vitamin D supplements if you are taking calcipotriene (Dovonex).

Cimetidine (Tagamet)

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

The body changes vitamin D into a form that it can use. Cimetidine (Tagamet) might decrease how well the body changes vitamin D. This might decrease how well vitamin D works. However, this interaction probably isn't important for most people.

Digoxin (Lanoxin)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium can affect the heart. Digoxin (Lanoxin) is used to help your heart beat stronger. Taking vitamin D along with digoxin (Lanoxin) might increase the effects of digoxin (Lanoxin) and lead to an irregular heartbeat. If you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin), talk to your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements.

Diltiazem (Cardizem, others)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium can affect your heart. Diltiazem (Cardizem, others) can also affect your heart. Taking large amounts of vitamin D along with diltiazem (Cardizem, others) might decrease the effectiveness of diltiazem.

Heparin

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Heparin slows blood clotting and can increase the risk of breaking a bone when used for a long period of time. People taking these medications should eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.

Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs)

Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Some medications called low molecular weight heparins can increase the risk of breaking a bone when used for a long periods of time. People taking these medications should eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.

These drugs include enoxaparin (Lovenox) or dalteparin (Fragmin).

Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Vitamin D may increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking vitamin D along with some medications may decrease the effectiveness of some medications. Before taking vitamin D, talk to your health care provider if you are taking any medications that are changed by the liver.

Some of these medications changed by the liver include lovastatin (Mevacor), clarithromycin (Biaxin), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), diltiazem (Cardizem), estrogens, triazolam (Halcion), and others.

Verapamil (Calan, others)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium can affect the heart. Verapamil (Calan, others) can also affect the heart. Do not take large amounts of vitamin D if you are taking verapamil (Calan, others).

Water pills (Thiazide diuretics)

Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Talk to your health provider.

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Some "water pills" increase the amount of calcium in the body. Taking large amounts of vitamin D along with some "water pills" might cause to be too much calcium in the body. This could cause serious side effects including kidney problems.

Some of these "water pills" include chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Esidrix), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), and chlorthalidone (Hygroton).

Interactions with Herbs, Supplements, and Foods

Calcium

Taking vitamin D along with calcium increases absorption of calcium. This might increase the risk of calcium levels becoming too high in some people.

Magnesium

Taking vitamin D can raise the level of magnesium in people who have low magnesium and low vitamin D levels. In people with normal magnesium levels, this doesn't seem to happen.

Food

Taking vitamin D along with food increases absorption of vitamin D. But this is not a big concern. Vitamin D can be taken with or without food.

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