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What is ergocalciferol?
Ergocalciferol is vitamin D2. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body. Ergocalciferol is used to treat hypoparathyroidism (decreased functioning of the parathyroid glands). Ergocalciferol is also used to treat rickets (softening of the bones caused by vitamin D deficiency) or low levels of phosphate in the blood (hypophosphatemia). Ergocalciferol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.

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What are the possible side effects of ergocalciferol?

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

Stop taking ergocalciferol and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• thinking problems, changes in behavior, feeling irritable;

• urinating more than usual;

• chest pain, feeling short 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).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.

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How should I take ergocalciferol?
Take this medication exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or for longer than recommended. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication. Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. You may also need x-rays. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

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What is the most important information I should know about ergocalciferol?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood, or if you have any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption). Before taking ergocalciferol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or dyes, or if you have heart disease, coronary artery disease, kidney disease, or an electrolyte imbalance. Do not take other vitamin or mineral supplements unless your doctor has told you to.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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What other drugs will affect ergocalciferol?
Before taking ergocalciferol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: sucralfate (Carafate); mineral oil (sometimes taken as a laxative); seizure medication; steroids (prednisone and others); digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin); or a diuretic (water pill) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others.

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) has been assigned to pregnancy category C. When used within the recommended daily allowance for pregnant women, ergocalciferol is considered to be safe. The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D in pregnant women is 400 to 600 intl units. High doses of other vitamin D analogs have been shown to be teratogenic, resulting in external and skeletal abnormalities. Ergocalciferol should only be used during pregnancy when benefit outweighs the risk.

Supplementation of vitamin D during the third trimester with vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 has been studied. Dosages of 1000 intl units per day given daily during the third trimester did not result in any adverse fetal outcome. Neonatal calcium homeostasis was affected, resulting in significantly higher concentrations of calcium, 25-OH vitamin D3, and 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3. Earlier literature expressed concerns over the development of supravalvular aortic stenosis, craniofacial abnormalities, and dental abnormalities in infants and children with idiopathic hypercalcemia. Whether or not prenatal factors predisposed these children to the development of hypercalcemia is not known. Fifteen hypoparathyroid women receiving 50,000 to 250,000 Intl units of vitamin D2 experienced 27 uneventful births. No cardiovascular or craniofacial abnormalities were reported.

The American RDA for vitamin D in the lactating woman is 400 to 600 intl units. Vitamin D supplements may be necessary if maternal vitamin D nutrition is insufficient. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers ergocalciferol or vitamin D2 to be compatible with breast-feeding. If the mother is receiving pharmacological doses, serum calcium levels in the breast-fed infant should be monitored.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Hypercalcemia.
• Malabsorption syndrome.
• Known abnormal sensitivity to toxic effects of vitamin D.
• Hypervitaminosis D.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. An overdose of vitamin D can cause serious or life-threatening side effects. Overdose symptoms may include headache, weakness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, constipation, muscle or bone pain, metallic taste in the mouth, weight loss, itchy skin, changes in heart rate, loss of interest in sex, confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior, feeling unusually hot, severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, or fainting.

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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking ergocalciferol?
Do not use this medication if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have: high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia); high levels of vitamin D in your body (hypervitaminosis D); or any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption). Before taking ergocalciferol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs or dyes, or if you have: heart disease; coronary artery disease; kidney disease; or an electrolyte imbalance.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
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