Vita D3 40000 IU Capsule 5pcs

Pharmacology

• Active Form: Calcitriol binds to Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) distributed in body tissues.
• Half-life: Approximately 50 days (fat-soluble).
• Absorption & Metabolism:
  • Absorbed in the small intestine.
  • Transported to the liver and metabolized to 25-hydroxy Vitamin D3 (Calcidiol).
  • Further hydroxylation in the kidney to 1,25-dihydroxy Vitamin D3 (Calcitriol), which increases calcium absorption.
  • Stored in fat and muscle tissues.
  • Eliminated via feces and urine.

Side Effects

• Rarely includes anorexia, lassitude, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, polyuria, sweating, headache, thirst, vertigo, and raised calcium and phosphate levels in plasma and urine.

Capsules:

• Adults:
  • Treatment: 40,000 IU once weekly for 7 weeks. Maintenance: 1,400-2,000 IU/day.
  • Prevention: 20,000 IU every 4 weeks. Higher doses may be required.
  • Osteoporosis addition: 20,000 IU once a month.
• Children (12-18 years):
  • Treatment: 20,000 IU every 2 weeks for 6 weeks.
  • Prevention: 20,000 IU every 6 weeks.
• Deficient Patients:
  • 0-1 year: 2,000 IU/day (+50,000 IU/week for 6 weeks).
  • 1-18 years: 2,000 IU/day for 6 weeks.

Overdose Effects

• Can lead to hypervitaminosis D.

Use in Special Populations

• Safety and efficacy in children under 12 years not established.

Interactions

• Drugs that cause Vitamin D3 deficiencies by interfering with its absorption/metabolism include Magnesium-containing antacids, Digoxin, Thiazide diuretics, Cholestyramine, Cholistipol, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital, Orlistat, Mineral Oil, and Corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisolone).

Contraindications

• Hypercalcemia or known hypersensitivity to Vitamin D3 or its excipients.
• Evidence of Vitamin D3 toxicity.

Pregnancy & Lactation

• Safe use up to 4,000 IU during pregnancy. Daily intake recommendation: 400 IU. Higher doses may be required for deficient women.
• Excreted in breast milk; no overdose observed in infants from nursing mothers. Consider additional Vitamin D3 for breast-fed children.

Precautions & Warnings

• Monitor plasma calcium in high doses, renal impairment, and during pregnancy/lactation.
• Consult a healthcare practitioner for patients on Digoxin, Thiazide diuretics, or with liver/kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, lymphoma, tuberculosis, or granulomatous disease.

Storage Conditions

Store below 30ºC, protected from light and moisture. Keep out of reach of children.