Adverse Reaction:
Weakness, headache, somnolence, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, muscle pain, bone pain, metallic taste. Polyuria, polydipsia, anorexia, weight loss , irritability, nocturia, mild acidosis, reversible azotemia, generalised vascular calcification, nephrocalcinosis, conjuntivitis (calcific), pancreatitis, photophobia, rhinorrhoea, pruritus, hyperthermia, decreased libido.
Dosages/ Overdosage Etc:
Indications:
Vitamin D deficiency
Overdosage- Symptoms Hypercalcemia, hyperohosphatemia Hypercalcemia leads to anorexia,weakness, weight loss, vague aches, and stiffness, constipation, diarrhea, mental retardation, tinnitus, ataxia, hypotonia, depression amnesia, diaorientation, hallucinations, syncope, coma, anemia, and mild acidosis
Treatment
1. Immediate withdrawal of the vitamin, a low calcium diet, generous fluid intake and urine acidification along with symptomatic supportive treatment
Missed dose
1. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible.
2. However, if it is almost time for next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
3. Do not double doses.
Patient Information:
1. Compliance with dosage instructions essential
2. Swallow whole; do not crush
3. Avoid concurrent use of mineral oil. If on chronic renal dialysis, avoid magnesium containing
antacids while taking the drug.
4. Notify your physician if any of the following occur-
weakness, lethargy, headache, anorexia, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, vertigo, excessive thirst, excessive urine output, dry mouth, or muscle or bone pain
Ref - USP PDI Vol II 17th Edition (1997)
VITAMIN D AND RELATED COMPOUNDS - SYSTEMIC
1.Allergies-
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to
Alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotacahysterol, or ergocalciferol.
Also tell your healthcare care professional if you are allergic to any other
substances such as foods. preservatives or dyes.
2.Pregnancy-
It is especially important that you are receiving enough vitamin D when you
become pregnant and that you continue to receive the right amounts of vitamins
throughout your pregnancy. The healthy growth and development of the fetus
depend on a steady supply of nutrients from the mother.
You may need vitamin D supplements if you are a strict vegetarian (vegan-
vegetarian) and/or have little exposure to sunlight or do not drink vitamin D
fortified milk.
Taking large amounts than the recommended amounts of a dietary supplement
while breast feeding may be harmful to the mother and/or baby and
should be avoided
3. Breast-feeding-
It is especially important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins
so that your baby will also get the vitamins needed to grow properly.
Infants who are totally breast-fed and have little exposure to the sun may
require vitamin D supplementation.
However taking large amounts of a dietary supplement while breast-feeding
may be harmful to the mother and/or baby and should be avoided.
4.Children-
Problems in children have not been reported with intake of normal daily
recommended amunts.
5.Older adults-
Your doctor may recommend that take a vitamin supplement that contains
Vitamin D.
6. Other medicines-
When you taking Vitamin d and related compounds it is especially important
your doctor know if you taking any of the following-
Antacids containing magnesium- use of these products with any vitamin D
related compound may result in high blood levels of magnesium, especially
in patients with kidney disease
Calcium containing preparations- or
Thiazide diuretics -use of these preparations with vitamin D may cause high blood
levels of calcium and increase the chanceof side effects.
Vitamin D and related products - use of vitamin D with a related compound may
cause high blood levels of vitamin D and increase the chance of side effects
7. Other medical problems-
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of Vitamin D and
related componds. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other
medical problems especially-
Heart or blood disease - alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, or dihydrotachysterol
may cause hypercalcemia which may the conditions worse.
Kidney disease- high blood levels of alfacalcidol, calcefediol, calcitriol,
dihydrotachyesterol or ergocalciferol may result which may increase the
chance of side effects
Sarcoiddosis - may increase sensitivity to alfacalcidol, calfediol, calcitrol,
dihydrotachysterol or egocalciferol and increasethe chance of side effects.