Calciferol (Ergocalciferol) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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May 26, 2012

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Calciferol

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VITAMIN D ERGOCALCIFEROL (ergocalciferol)
Capsules, USP 1.25 mg SOFTGELS
(Soft Gelatin Capsules) (50,000 USP Units)

DRUG DESCRIPTION

ERGOCALCIFEROL (ergocalciferol) CAPSULES, USP, is a synthetic calcium regulator for oral administration.

Ergocalciferol (ergocalciferol) is a white, colorless crystal, insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, and slightly soluble in vegetable oils.

It is affected by air and by light. Ergosterol or provitamin D₂ is found in plants and yeast and has no antirachitic activity.

There are more than 10 substances belonging to a group of steroid compounds, classified as having vitamin D or antirachitic activity.

One USP Unit of vitamin D₂ is equivalent to one International Unit (IU), and 1 mcg of vitamin D₂ is equal to 40 IU.

Each softgel, for oral administration, contains Ergocalciferol (ergocalciferol) , USP 1.25 mg (equivalent to 50,000 USP units of Vitamin D), in an edible vegetable oil.

Ergocalciferol (ergocalciferol) , also called vitamin D₂, is 9, 10-secoergosta-5,7,10(19),22-tetraen-3-ol,(3 ≤ ,5Z,7E,22E)-; (C₂₈H₄₄O) with a molecular weight of 396.65, and has the following structural formula:

Ergocalciferol Structural Formula Illustration

Inactive Ingredients: Refined soybean oil, gelatin, glycerin, purified water, D&C Yellow #10, and FD&C Blue #1.

What are the possible side effects of ergocalciferol (Calciferol, Drisdol, Vitamin D)?

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 ergocalciferol 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...

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Calciferol »

What are the precautions when taking ergocalciferol (Calciferol)?

Before taking vitamin D, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: high calcium/vitamin D levels (hypercalcemia/hypervitaminosis D), difficulty absorbing nutrition from food (malabsorption syndrome), kidney disease, liver disease.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

During pregnancy, doses of vitamin D greater than the recommended dietary allowance should be...

Read All Potential Precautions of Calciferol »

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/29/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.