Dihydrotachysterol |
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Basic Information
Dihydrotachysterol is a form of vitamin D. It is also called
ergocalciferol.
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Yes
Fat-soluble or water-soluble: Fat-soluble
NATURAL SOURCES
Cod-liver oil
Halibut-liver oil
Herring
Mackerel
Salmon
Sardines
Sunlight
Vitamin-D-fortified milk
REASONS TO USE
Dihydrotachysterol is primarily used to treat hypocalcemia
(not enough calcium in blood) in people with chronic kidney
failure or hypoparathyroidism.
Regulates growth, hardening and repair of bone by controlling
absorption of calcium and phosphorus from small intestine.
Prevents rickets.
Treats post-operative muscle contractions.
Works with calcium to control bone formation.
Promotes normal growth and development of infants and
children, particularly bones and teeth.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Cures arthritis.
Prevents colon cancer.
Treats aging symptoms.
Treats acne.
Treats alcoholism.
Treats herpes simplex and herpes zoster.
Treats cystic fibrosis.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Children who live in sunshine-deficient areas.
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Older people (over 55 years), especially women after
menopause.
Pregnant or breast-feeding women.
Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs.
People with a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long
periods or those who have recently undergone surgery.
Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically
removed.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
Rickets (a childhood deficiency disease): bent, bowed legs,
malformations of joints or bones, late tooth development, weak
muscles, listlessness.
Osteomalacia (adult rickets): muscle weakness and spasm,
brittle, easily broken bones, pain in ribs, lower spine, pelvis,
legs.
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Muscle diseases (myopathies)
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
Reduced levels of vitamin D forms in blood.
Decreased serum phosphate, decreased calcium, increased
alkaline phosphatase, urinary hydroxyproline, PTH levels.
Bone X-ray.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
| Age |
RDA |
| 0-6 months |
10mcg |
| 6-12 months |
10mcg |
| 1-10 years |
10mcg |
| MALES |
| 11-18 years |
10mcg |
| 19-22 years |
7.5mcg |
| 23+ years |
5mcg |
| FEMALES |
| 11-18 years |
10mcg |
| 19-22 years |
7.5mcg |
| 23+ years |
5mcg |
| Pregnant |
+5mcg |
| Lactating |
+5mcg |
What this vitamin does:
Absorbs and uses calcium and phosphorous to make bone.
Essential for normal growth and development.
Miscellaneous information:
Take at the same time every day.
Put liquid vitamin D directly into mouth or mix with cereal,
fruit juice or food.
Available as:
Extended-release capsules or tablets: Swallow whole with full
glass of liquid. Don't chew or crush. Take with or immediately
after food to decrease stomach irritation.
Oral solution: Dilute in at least 1/2 glass water or other
liquid. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
A constituent of many multivitamin/mineral preparations.
Some forms available by generic name.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Are allergic to vitamin D, ergocalciferol or any vitamin-D
derivative.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Any plans to become pregnant while taking vitamin D.
Epilepsy.
Heart or blood-vessel disease.
Kidney, liver, pancreatic disease.
Chronic diarrhea.
Intestinal problems.
Sarcoidosis.
Over age 55:
Adverse reactions and side effects are more likely.
Supplements are often necessary.
Pregnancy:
Taking too much during pregnancy may cause abnormalities in
fetus. Consult doctor before taking supplement to ensure correct
dosage.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
Important for you to receive correct amount so enough vitamin
D is available for normal growth and development of baby.
Consult doctor about supplements.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
May decrease serum alkaline phosphatase.
May increase levels of calcium, cholesterol and phosphate in
test results.
May increase level of magnesium in test results.
May increase amounts of calcium and phosphorous in urine.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze. Avoid overexposure to air.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of vitamin.
Others:
Absence of sunlight prevents natural formation of vitamin D by
skin. Sunshine provides sufficient amounts of vitamin D for
people who live in sunny climates. Those who live in northern
areas with fewer days of sunshine and extended periods of cloud
cover and darkness must depend on dietary sources for vitamin D.
Avoid megadoses.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
High blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, nausea, weight loss,
seizures, abdominal pain, appetite loss, mental and physical-
growth retardation, premature hardening of arteries, kidney
damage.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue vitamin, and consult
doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section
below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
For toxic symptoms: Discontinue vitamin, and seek immediate
medical help. Hospitalization may be necessary.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Appetite loss |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Constipation |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Diarrhea |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Dry mouth |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Headache |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Increased thirst |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Mental confusion |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Metallic taste |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Nausea |
Discontinue. Call doctor immediately. |
| Unusual tiredness |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| Vomiting |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
|
immediately. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Antacids with aluminum |
Decreases absorption of vitamin |
|
D and fat-soluble vitamins A, |
|
D, E, K. |
| Antacids with magnesium |
May cause too much magnesium in |
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blood, especially for people |
|
with kidney failure. |
| Anti-convulsants |
May reduce effect of vitamin D |
|
from natural sources and |
|
require supplements to prevent |
|
loss of strength in bones. |
| Barbiturates |
May reduce effect of vitamin D |
|
from natural sources and |
|
require supplements to prevent |
|
loss of strength in bones. |
| Calcitonin |
Reduces effect of calcitonin |
|
when treating hypercalcemia. |
| Calcium (high doses) |
Increases risk of |
|
hypercalcemia. |
| Cholestyramine |
Impairs absorption of vitamin |
|
D. |
|
May need supplements. |
| Colestipol |
Impairs absorption of vitamin |
|
D. |
|
May need supplements. |
| Digitalis preparations |
Increases risk of heartbeat |
|
irregularities. |
| Diuretics, thiazide |
Increases risk of |
|
hypercalcemia. |
| Hydantoin |
May reduce effect of vitamin D |
|
from natural sources and |
|
require supplements to prevent |
|
loss of strength in bones. |
| Mineral oil |
Increases absorption of |
|
vitamin D. May need supplements. |
| Phosphorous-containing medicines |
Increases risk of too much |
|
phosphorous in blood. |
| Primidone |
May reduce effect of vitamin D |
|
from natural sources and |
|
require supplements to prevent |
|
loss of strength in bones. |
| Vitamin-D derivatives, such as |
Additive effects may increase |
| calciferol, calcitrol, |
potential for toxicity. |
| dihydrotachysterol, |
| ergocalciferol |
|
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INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
Chronic alcoholism depletes liver stores of vitamin D.
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