Calciferol Side Effects Center

Calciferol (ergocalciferol) is vitamin D2 used to treat hypoparathyroidism (decreased functioning of the parathyroid glands), and is also used to treat rickets (softening of the bones caused by vitamin D deficiency) or low levels of phosphate in the blood (hypophosphatemia). Calciferol is available in generic form. Vitamin D at normal doses usually has no side effects. Contact your doctor if you have any serious side effects of Calciferol, including:

• thinking problems,
• changes in behavior,
• irritability,
• urinating more than usual,
• chest pain,
• shortness 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).

Too much vitamin D can cause harmful high calcium levels. Tell your doctor if you have signs of high vitamin D/calcium levels including nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, mental/mood changes, or unusual tiredness.

To treat Vitamin D resistant rickets the dose of Calciferol is 12,000 to 500,000 USP units daily. To treat hypoparathyroidism, the dose is 50,000 to 200,000 USP units daily taken with calcium lactate 4 g, six times per day. The range between therapeutic and toxic doses is narrow. Dosage must be individualized under close medical supervision. Calciferol may interact with sucralfate, mineral oil (sometimes taken as a laxative), seizure medication, steroids, digoxin or diuretics (water pills). Tell your doctor all medications you are taking. During pregnancy, doses of vitamin D greater than the recommended dietary allowance should be used only when prescribed. This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Our Calciferol (ergocalciferol) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• growth problems (in a child taking ergocalciferol); or
• early signs of vitamin D overdose--weakness, metallic taste in your mouth, weight loss, muscle or bone pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.