colecalciferol; cholecalciferol at a glance
Medicine class
Vitamin D3 supplement
Main role
Prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency
Available forms
Tablets, soft capsules, oral solution and drops
Important safety issue
Excess vitamin D can cause harmful calcium accumulation
What is colecalciferol; cholecalciferol used for?
Selected products are licensed for:
Preventing vitamin D deficiency in people at identified risk.
Treating established vitamin D deficiency.
Supporting specific osteoporosis treatment when vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency is present or likely.
Some oral drops are licensed for children; age restrictions vary by product.
How does colecalciferol; cholecalciferol work?
The liver converts colecalciferol to 25-hydroxyvitamin D, then mainly the kidneys convert it to active calcitriol. This increases calcium and phosphate absorption and supports mineralisation and bone strength.
How to take colecalciferol; cholecalciferol
Follow the instructions for your specific product because administration differs between formulations.
Selected tablets can be swallowed whole or crushed and taken with food.
Swallow soft capsules whole with water; do not chew them.
Shake THORENS liquid before use. It may be taken directly or mixed with a small amount of cold or lukewarm food for immediate consumption; do not store the mixture.
Use the supplied measuring device for liquids or drops where provided.
colecalciferol; cholecalciferol side effects
Common or expected effects
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Headache
Get urgent medical advice
- High calcium, potentially causing vomiting, confusion, thirst, frequent urination, bone or joint pain, weakness or an irregular heartbeat
- Kidney stones, potentially causing fever and sharp side or lower-back pain
- Serious allergic reaction with facial or throat swelling, breathing difficulty or collapse
colecalciferol; cholecalciferol in pregnancy
Vitamin D can be used during pregnancy, and correcting confirmed deficiency is important. Product suitability varies, particularly for higher-strength formulations. Follow advice from a doctor, midwife or pharmacist and avoid duplicate vitamin D supplements.
colecalciferol; cholecalciferol while breastfeeding
Colecalciferol can generally be used while breastfeeding. Vitamin D passes into milk, but breastfed infants usually still require their own supplementation. Intensive maternal replacement may require infant monitoring and specialist advice.
colecalciferol; cholecalciferol interactions
Review all medicines and supplements to avoid reduced effectiveness or excessive calcium exposure.
Digoxin and other cardiac glycosides
Vitamin D-related hypercalcaemia can increase toxicity and arrhythmia risk; calcium and sometimes ECG monitoring are required.
Thiazide diuretics
Reduced urinary calcium excretion increases the risk of hypercalcaemia.
Phenytoin and barbiturates
Increased vitamin D metabolism may reduce colecalciferol's effect.
Common questions about colecalciferol; cholecalciferol
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is colecalciferol vitamin D3?
Yes. Colecalciferol is vitamin D3.
Are colecalciferol and cholecalciferol different?
No. They are alternative spellings of the same active ingredient.
Should it be taken with food?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.