cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)

	What is the most important information I should know about cholecalciferol?
	What is cholecalciferol?
	What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cholecalciferol?
	How should I take cholecalciferol?
	What happens if I miss a dose?
	What happens if I overdose?
	What should I avoid while taking cholecalciferol?
	What are the possible side effects of cholecalciferol?
	What other drugs will affect cholecalciferol?
	Where can I get more information?
	Audio articles:
	English
	Español

Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood, or if you have any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

Before taking cholecalciferol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have heart disease, kidney disease, or an electrolyte imbalance.

Do not take other vitamin or mineral supplements unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid using calcium supplements or antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of supplement or antacid your doctor recommends. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of vitamin D can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.

Overdose symptoms may include headache, weakness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle or bone pain, metallic taste in the mouth, weight loss, itchy skin, changes in heart rate, loss of interest in sex, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, or fainting.

Cholecalciferol is a vitamin D3. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body.

Cholecalciferol is used to treat or prevent many conditions caused by a lack of vitamin D, especially conditions of the skin or bones.

Cholecalciferol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have:

• high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia);
• high levels of vitamin D in your body (hypervitaminosis D); or
• any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

Before taking cholecalciferol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• heart disease;
• kidney disease; or
• an electrolyte imbalance.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

Your cholecalciferol dose needs may change if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment, or if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Cholecalciferol is only part of a complete program of treatment that may also include a special diet. It is very important to follow the diet plan created for you by your doctor or nutrition counselor. You should become very familiar with the list of foods you must eat or avoid to help control your condition.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of vitamin D can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.

Overdose symptoms may include headache, weakness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle or bone pain, metallic taste in the mouth, weight loss, itchy skin, changes in heart rate, loss of interest in sex, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, or fainting.

Do not take other vitamin or mineral supplements unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid using calcium supplements or antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of supplement or antacid your doctor recommends.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking cholecalciferol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• thinking problems, changes in behavior, feeling irritable;
• urinating more than usual;
• chest pain, feeling short of breath; or
• early signs of vitamin D overdose (weakness, metallic taste in your mouth, weight loss, muscle or bone pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking cholecalciferol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• seizure medication;
• cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran);
• colestipol (Colestid);
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin); or
• a diuretic (water pill) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with cholecalciferol. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about cholecalciferol.