📋 Indications & Clinical Dosage
*Prevention of vitamin D deficiency:*
Adult: 400 units (10 mcg) daily
*Treatment of vitamin D deficiency:*
Adult: 800 units (20 mcg) daily, or higher doses for severe deficiency up to 1 mg (40,000 Units) daily in divided doses.
*Rickets, osteomalacia, spasmophilia, pagetsdisease, osteoporomalacia, fanconi syndrome:*
BY IM INJ: Adults: 10 mg
Adults & Children: Up to 2.5 mg (100,000 units) daily.
⛔ Contraindications
Hypercalcaemia, metastatic calcification.
⚠️ Precautions & Warnings
Monitor plasma-calcium concentration in renal impairment regularly.
🔄 Drug Interactions
Barbiturates, anticonvulsants, danazol, digitalis, thiazides, antacids, mineral oils, cholestyramine, colestipol, sucralfate.
⚠️ Adverse Reactions / Side Effects
Symptoms of overdose include anorexia, lassitude, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, weight loss, polyuria, sweating, headache, thirst, vertigo, and raised concentration of calcium and phosphate in plasma and urine.
🤰 Pregnancy & Lactation Safety
Pregnancy Risk:
Caution advised
Lactation / Breastfeeding:
Caution advised or effect undetermined
📚 Official Regulatory & Clinical References
- Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP): Drug Registration, S.R.O. Price Gazettes & National Essential Medicines List (NEML).
- World Health Organization (WHO): Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (ATC/DDD Index).
- Formulary Standards: British National Formulary (BNF) & Pakistan National Formulary (PNF) guidelines.