What is Ergocalciferol?
Ergocalciferol capsules is a calcium regulator that can be taken orally. The medication is a colourless, white crystal that is water-insoluble, soluble in organic solvents, and slightly soluble in vegetable oils. This is affected by air and light. Ergocalciferol is a vitamin D2 and it helps the body to absorb calcium. The medication is used for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism. It is also used to treat rickets or low levels of phosphate in the blood.
Ergocalciferol Uses
The medication is used for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism, refractory tickets and familial hypophosphatemia. Ergocalciferol is a class of medication called vitamin D analogs. This works by helping the body to use more calcium in foods or supplements. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that aids calcium and phosphorus absorption in the body. It's important to get enough vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus to create and maintain healthy bones. Vitamin D is a nutrient that is used to treat and prevent bone problems (such as rickets, osteomalacia). It can be used to keep calcium levels normal and enable normal bone growth in people with kidney disease. Breast-fed babies are given vitamin D drops (or other supplements) because breast milk usually contains low amounts of vitamin D.
Side Effects
Some of the common & major side effects of Ergocalciferol are:
- Pale skin
- Tiredness
- Feeling tired
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Muscles aches
- Stiffness
- Weakness
- Chest pain
- Feeling shortness of breath
- Growth problems
Ergocalciferol can cause some serious side effects and can lead to some serious health problems. Talk with your doctor if you are having any serious problems.
Precautions
Before taking Ergocalciferol talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications related to it. The medication may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause serious allergic reactions or some other problems related to it. Before using the medication talk with your doctor if you have any medical history such as high calcium, difficulty while absorbing nutrition from food, kidney disease and liver disease.
How to use Ergocalciferol?
Ergocalciferol will only be effective if you consume enough calcium throughout your diet. If you ingest too much calcium through your diet, ergocalciferol can cause serious side effects. Ergocalciferol will not help you monitor your condition if you don't eat enough calcium. Your doctor will advise you about which foods are high in calcium and how many servings you can consume each day. Tell your doctor if you're having trouble eating enough of these foods. Your doctor may prescribe or recommend a calcium supplement in this case. The best time to take the medication is after the meal. Measure the liquid dosage carefully and use the dosing syringe that is provided.
Missed Dose
As soon as you remember, take the missing dose. If it’s time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the daily dosing schedule. To make up for a missed dose, do not take a double dose.
Overdose
Vitamin D overdose can have severe or life-threatening consequences. Nausea, lack of appetite, thirst, urinating more or less than normal, body aches, weakness, confusion, or erratic heartbeats are all potential opioid signs.
Interactions
Certain drugs can inhibit your body's ability to absorb vitamin D. If you take any other drugs, wait at least 2 hours before or after taking ergocalciferol to take them. Tell your doctor about all other medications you're taking, especially: diuretic, also known as a "water pill" or mineral oil. Also, other drugs can affect this medication that includes prescriptions and non-prescription medicines, vitamins and herbal products.
Warnings for Serious Health Conditions
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding:The medication should be used only when the benefits outweigh the risk to the fetus. Also, avoid using Vitamin D in excess of the recommended dietary allowance. Expected mothers need to make sure they are getting good amounts of vitamin D during pregnancy as it will help the baby for healthy development.
The medication can pass into the breastmilk and can cause some serious side effects to the infants. So, before taking this drug talk with your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Ergocalciferol vs Calcitriol
Ergocalciferol |
Calcitriol |
|---|---|
| Ergocalciferol capsules is a calcium regulator that can be taken orally. The medication is a colourless, white crystal that is water-insoluble, soluble in organic solvents, and slightly soluble in vegetable oils. | Calcitriol is a vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) active form that is synthesised. It is used to treat and avoid low calcium levels in the blood in patients with kidney failure. |
| Ergocalciferol is a class of medication called vitamin D analogs. This works by helping the body to use more calcium in foods or supplements. | Calcitriol is used to treat patients with kidney disease who are unable to produce a sufficient active form of Vitamin D. |
Some of the common & major side effects of Ergocalciferol are:
|
Some of the common and serious side effects of Calcitriol are:
|
