D 1000 IU
The generic name of this is cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), and it is useful to your body in order for you to absorb calcium from your stomach, and it also helps your body function with calcium for better health. Doctors use it in treatment of bone and skin conditions that are caused by low vitamin D among many other treatments.
There are a lot of medical cautions associated with cholecalciferol, for instance if ever you’ve had allergic reactions to Vitamin D, or already have elevated levels of calcium or have vitamin D in your blood, you should not be prescribed this medication. You should not take it if you suffer from malabsorption either, which is a condition wherein you have problems absorbing your nutrients from your food intake.
As with taking any drug, your doctor should know of any medical allergies to drugs, suffer from an electrolyte imbalance, kidney disease or heart disease. Further do not combine this drug with any mineral supplements or other vitamins without informing your doctor. Ask your doctor prior to using antacids or any calcium supplements, and then use only the type recommended. Further inform your doctor about other drugs prescribed by other doctors, be they over the counter or prescriptions. Also inform him of herbal products, minerals and vitamins you are taking for your health.
Keep in mind that an overdose of vitamin D may bring on life-threatening side effects. Overdose may entail fainting, severe pain in the upper stomach that spreads to the back, unusual strange behavior or thoughts, confusion, loss of sex interest, heart rate variations, itchy skin, weight loss, metallic taste, bone or musculature pain, constipation, vomiting, nausea, dry mouth, drowsiness, weakness and headache.
This medication should not be taken if you’ve already experienced elevated blood levels of calcium (hypercalcemia), or elevated body levels of calcium (hypervitaminosis D). It is imperative to tell your doctor should you be pregnant or even breast-feeding. Also inform him if you are planning pregnancy during treatment, both important for your medical health as well as your child’s.
It is imperative that you follow directions from your doctor or as directed on the pill label. Never take more than indicated or for longer than suggested. After testing there is a chance that the dose will be adjusted, in order to be sure that you receive the required results from your medication.
It is possible that your doctor may also put you on a special medical diet. Whether given to you by your nutrition counselor or your doctor, be sure to follow the plan implicitly. The particular list of foods that you need to eat or avoid is important to control your personal condition, thus become as familiar with the list as possible. Also, important medication such as this one should be stored at room temperature, but away from heat, light and moisture to retain their medical efficacy.
Should you miss a dose of this medication, take it as soon as it’s remembered. Should the time be close to following dose, then take the next dose at the correct time, skipping the missed dose. Never assume that you may take extra medicine in order to make up any missed dose. Should you overdose, seek immediate emergency medical attention. Any vitamin D overdose may cause a life-threatening side effect, or a very serious condition affecting your health.
Should you experience swelling in your throat, tongue, lips, or your face or experience any other allergic reaction signs such as difficulty breathing or hives, get immediate emergency help. There are also some serious side effects that if they occur you should stop taking the drug cholecalciferol and reach your doctor. These are, but not limited to, having behavioral changes such as irritability or problems with thinking; more than usual amounts of urination; being short of breath or experiencing chest pains. Because there are other side effects that may occur, be sure and contact your doctor if anything is unusual for you.
You will need to inform you doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: any seizure medication; cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran); colestipol (Colestid); steroids (prednisone and others) or digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin); any diuretics or water pills such as metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), Zestoretic), Vasoretic, Lopressor, Hyzaar, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril).
There may be other drugs that could interact with cholecalciferol. When you fill the prescription, be sure to ask your pharmacist for further information. Use this particular medicine for the reason prescribed, do not share it with others, and keep any medicines out of the hands of children.
Posted by Fei Lim
