calcifediol monohydrate at a glance
Medicine class
Vitamin D analogue
Licensed uses
Adult vitamin D deficiency treatment or prevention, and support for osteoporosis treatment
How it is taken
Oral soft capsule
Key safety issue
Excess exposure can raise blood and urine calcium
What is calcifediol monohydrate used for?
The UK product is licensed for adults.
Treatment of vitamin D deficiency.
Prevention of vitamin D deficiency in adults with identified risk factors.
Use alongside specific osteoporosis therapy when vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is present.
How does calcifediol monohydrate work?
Calcifediol is the 25-hydroxylated form of vitamin D3, so it bypasses the usual liver activation step. It is converted mainly in the kidneys to calcitriol, which increases calcium and phosphate absorption, supports bone mineralisation and reduces parathyroid hormone production.
calcifediol monohydrate preparations and strengths
Capsule
Route: Oral
Strengths: 266 micrograms
How to take calcifediol monohydrate
Take the soft capsule by mouth exactly as prescribed.
Do not take extra capsules or change the prescribed schedule yourself.
Tell the prescriber about calcium, vitamin D and multivitamin products, including over-the-counter supplements.
Consider vitamin D-fortified foods and drinks because their effects can be additive.
Keep the capsules in their original packaging and do not refrigerate them.
calcifediol monohydrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- No adverse effect is classified as common; reported reactions are generally uncommon.
- Reported effects include nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, constipation, metallic taste, abdominal cramps and reduced appetite.
- Weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, headache or irritability can occur, particularly when calcium is raised.
Get urgent medical advice
- Irregular heartbeat, confusion, marked thirst or frequent urination may indicate significant hypercalcaemia.
- Kidney impairment, pancreatitis and calcium deposits in the kidneys or other tissues can occur with severe or prolonged hypercalcaemia.
- Eye pain or light sensitivity with conjunctival or corneal changes has been reported rarely at very high exposure.
calcifediol monohydrate in pregnancy
The UK product is not recommended during pregnancy because calcifediol-specific human data are limited and excessive vitamin D can cause maternal and fetal hypercalcaemia. If confirmed deficiency requires treatment, the prescriber should assess benefits and risks and arrange appropriate monitoring.
calcifediol monohydrate while breastfeeding
Calcifediol passes into breast milk poorly. Maternal treatment should still be considered when deciding on vitamin D supplementation for the infant; breastfed infants may require their own supplement under UK public-health advice.
calcifediol monohydrate interactions
Check prescribed, purchased and nutritional products because some combinations alter calcifediol exposure or increase calcium-related toxicity.
Phenytoin, phenobarbital, primidone and other enzyme-inducing antiepileptics
They may increase calcifediol metabolism and reduce its effect, making vitamin D monitoring important.
Digoxin and other cardiac glycosides
Calcifediol-related hypercalcaemia can increase toxicity and provoke arrhythmias.
Thiazide diuretics
The combination can increase hypercalcaemia risk, particularly in hypoparathyroidism.
Common questions about calcifediol monohydrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is calcifediol monohydrate the same as vitamin D3?
No. Vitamin D3, or colecalciferol, is normally converted in the liver into calcifediol, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D3.
Is it the same as calcitriol?
No. Calcifediol is a precursor converted mainly by the kidneys into the active hormone calcitriol.
Can children take it?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.