VITAMIN D

Vitamin D can be found in small amounts, in a few foods, including fatty fish such as herring, mackerel, sardines and tuna. To make vitamin D more available, it is added to dairy products, juices, and cereals that are then said to be “fortified with vitamin D.” But most vitamin D – 80% to 90% of what the body gets – is obtained through exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D can also be made in the laboratory as medicine.

Vitamin D is used for preventing and treating rickets, a disease that is caused by not having enough vitamin D. Vitamin D is also used for treating weak bones (osteoporosis), bone pain (osteomalacia), bone loss in people with a condition called hyperparathyroidism, and an inherited disease (osteogenesis imperfecta) in which the bones are especially brittle and easily broken. It is also used for preventing falls and fractures in people at risk for osteoporosis, and preventing low calcium and bone loss (renal osteodystrophy) in people with kidney failure.

According to a report presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association, higher than normal levels of Vitamin D in the heart can make it beat too fast and out of rhythm, a condition called atrial fibrillation. Always follow the prescribed dose of your doctor.

Taking vitamin D for long periods of time in doses higher than 4000 units daily is possibly unsafe and may cause excessively high levels of calcium in the blood. However, much higher doses are often needed for the short-term treatment of vitamin D deficiency. This type of treatment should be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Precautions

Vitamin D is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when used in higher amounts during pregnancy or while breast-feeding. Using higher doses might also cause serious harm to the infant.

Higher dose of Vitamin D may worsen the condition of the following:

  • Kidney diseases
  • High levels of calcium in the blood
  • Atherosclerosis or “Hardening of the arteries”
  • Sarcoidosis and could lead to kidney stones and other problems.
  • Histoplasmosis and could lead to kidney stones and other problems.
  • Over-active parathyroid gland (hyperparathyroidism)
  • Lymphoma
  • Tuberculosis

 

Interactions

Be cautious with this combination

Aluminum interacts with VITAMIN D

Aluminum is found in most antacids. Vitamin D can increase how much aluminum the body absorbs. This interaction might be a problem for people with kidney disease. Take vitamin D two hours before, or four hours after antacids.

Calcipotriene (Dovonex) interacts with VITAMIN D

Calcipotriene is a drug that is similar to vitamin D. Taking vitamin D along with calcipotriene (Dovonex) might increase the effects and side effects of calcipotriene (Dovonex). Avoid taking vitamin D supplements if you are taking calcipotriene (Dovonex).

Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with VITAMIN D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium can affect the heart. Digoxin (Lanoxin) is used to help your heart beat stronger. Taking vitamin D along with digoxin (Lanoxin) might increase the effects of digoxin (Lanoxin) and lead to an irregular heartbeat. If you are taking digoxin (Lanoxin), talk to your doctor before taking vitamin D supplements.

Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac) interacts with VITAMIN D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium can affect your heart. Diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac) can also affect your heart. Taking large amounts of vitamin D along with diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac) might decrease the effectiveness of diltiazem.

Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) interacts with VITAMIN D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium can affect the heart. Verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan) can also affect the heart. Do not take large amounts of vitamin D if you are taking verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan).

Water pills (Thiazide diuretics) interacts with VITAMIN D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Some “water pills” increase the amount of calcium in the body. Taking large amounts of vitamin D along with some “water pills” might cause to be too much calcium in the body. This could cause serious side effects including kidney problems.

Some of these “water pills” include chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDIURIL, Esidrix), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), and chlorthalidone (Hygroton).

The recommended daily allowance (RDA), which is an estimate of the amount of vitamin D that meets the needs of most people in the population. The current RDA was set in 2010. The RDA varies based on age as follows: 1-70 years of age, 600 IU daily; 71 years and older, 800 IU daily; pregnant and lactating women, 600 IU daily. For infants ages 0-12 months, an adequate intake (AI) level of 400 IU is recommended.

 

Available brands:

  • Bitagen
  • Amino-Max
  • Estamin
  • Friso Three
  • Enerboost

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