Vitamin D3 Uses, Side Effects & Warnings (2024)

Generic name: cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) [KOE-le-kal-SIF-e-role]
Brand names: Carlson D, Ddrops, Decara, Delta D3, Enfamil D-Vi-Sol, ... show all 9 brands
Drug class: Vitamins

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Jan 17, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is cholecalciferol?

Cholecalciferol is vitamin D3. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.

Vitamin D is also essential for maintaining a healthy immune system. The function of the immune system is to prevent or limit infection.

Cholecalciferol is used as a dietary supplement in people who do not get enough vitamin D in their diets to maintain adequate health.

Cholecalciferol may also be used for purposes not listed in this guide.

Cholecalciferol side effects

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

Stop taking cholecalciferol and call your doctor at once if you have:

  • chest pain, feeling short of breath;

  • growth problems (in a child taking cholecalciferol); or

  • early signs of vitamin D overdose--weakness, metallic taste in your mouth, weight loss, muscle or bone pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Vitamin D3 side effects (more detail)

Warnings

You should not take cholecalciferol if you have had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your body, or any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use cholecalciferol if you have had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have:

  • high levels of vitamin D in your body (hypervitaminosis D);

  • high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia); or

  • any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

  • heart disease;

  • kidney disease; or

  • an electrolyte imbalance.

Certain forms of cholecalciferol may contain ingredients you should know about, such as peanut or soybean oil, sugar, aspartame (phenylalanine), or certain food dyes. Ask a doctor before using cholecalciferol if you have allergies, diabetes, or phenylketonuria (PKU).

Too much vitamin D could harm an unborn baby or a nursing baby. Ask a doctor before using cholecalciferol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

Do not give cholecalciferol to a child without medical advice. Your child's dose will depend on age, weight, diet, and other factors.

How should I take cholecalciferol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all the guides or instruction sheets. Use only the recommended dose of cholecalciferol.

It may be best to take cholecalciferol after a meal, but you may take it with or without food.

Measure liquid cholecalciferol carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

To take a disintegrating (Quick-Melt) tablet, place it on your tongue and do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

The cholecalciferol wafer is usually taken only once per week or once per month. Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. The wafer must be chewed before you swallow it.

While using cholecalciferol, you will need frequent blood tests. You may also need x-rays.

Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with cholecalciferol.

Cholecalciferol may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes dietary changes and taking calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Learn about the foods you should eat to make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Your cholecalciferol dose may need to be adjusted as you make changes to your diet.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

Detailed Vitamin D3 dosage information

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take cholecalciferol as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of vitamin D can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, loss of appetite, thirst, urinating more or less than usual, body aches, stiffness, confusion, or irregular heartbeats.

What should I avoid while taking cholecalciferol?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any multivitamins, mineral supplements, or antacids while you are taking cholecalciferol.

What other drugs will affect cholecalciferol?

Certain medications can make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin D. If you take other medications, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take cholecalciferol.

Other drugs may affect cholecalciferol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Vitamin D3 drug interactions (more detail)

Frequently asked questions

  • Does vitamin D help with depression?

More about Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)

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Patient resources

Other brands

D3, Decara, D3-50, Enfamil D-Vi-Sol, ... +10 more

Related treatment guides

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  • Prevention of Fractures

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

Copyright 1996-2024 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 6.02.

Vitamin D3 Uses, Side Effects & Warnings (2024)

FAQs

What is a negative side effect of vitamin D3? ›

Too much vitamin D can cause harmful high calcium levels. Tell your doctor right away if any of these signs of high vitamin D/calcium levels occur: nausea/vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, mental/mood changes, unusual tiredness.

Who should not take vitamin D3? ›

Ask a doctor before using cholecalciferol if you have allergies, diabetes, or phenylketonuria (PKU). Too much vitamin D could harm an unborn baby or a nursing baby. Ask a doctor before using cholecalciferol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

What happens to your body when you take vitamin D3 every day? ›

What happens to your body when you take the recommended amount of vitamin D every day? If you take vitamin D every day, you may experience several benefits , your bones may be stronger, your muscles and nerves may work correctly, and your immune system may get help fighting bacterial or viral infections.

Is it safe to take vitamin D3 tablets daily? ›

Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart. If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people.

What organs does vitamin D3 affect? ›

Norman also lists 36 organ tissues in the body whose cells respond biologically to vitamin D. The list includes bone marrow, breast, colon, intestine, kidney, lung, prostate, retina, skin, stomach and the uterus. According to Norman, deficiency of vitamin D can impact all 36 organs.

What is the safest amount of vitamin D3 to take daily? ›

The current recommendations suggest consuming 400–800 IU (10–20 mcg) of vitamin D per day. However, people who need more vitamin D can safely consume 1,000–4,000 IU (25–100 mcg) daily. Consuming more than this is not advised unless prescribed by a healthcare professional.

What can you not mix with vitamin D3? ›

If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use vitamin D supplements without first talking to your health care provider.
  • Atorvastatin (Lipitor). ...
  • Calcipotriene (Dovonex). ...
  • Calcium channel blockers. ...
  • Corticosteroids (prednisone). ...
  • Digoxin (Lanoxin).

Is vitamin D3 hard on your kidneys? ›

Taking too much vitamin D can cause problems such as constipation and nausea and, in more serious cases, kidney stones and kidney damage.

Can vitamin D3 cause high blood pressure? ›

Indeed, we classified the studies according to their baseline vitamin D status, but the results indicated that vitamin D supplementation had no apparent effect on blood pressure, regardless of its baseline status. This finding is in accord with a recent meta-analysis that used individual patient data (15).

Can you stop taking vitamin D3 suddenly? ›

Ideally it's best to quit gradually in order to give your body a chance to adjust. You're least likely to struggle through the withdrawal process if you take several weeks to decrease how much you take.

What is the difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3? ›

The key difference between vitamin D and vitamin D3 is that while vitamin D is fat-soluble to regulate our calcium and phosphorus levels, vitamin D3 is the natural form produced by our bodies when exposed to sunlight.

Is it better to take vitamin D3 every day or once a week? ›

In people with vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/mL, they often start with 50,000 IU of vitamin D3, once a week for 6 to 8 weeks. After that, a dose of 800 IU to 2,000 IU per day can help maintain vitamin D levels above 30 ng/mL.

Is there a downside to taking vitamin D3? ›

Safety and side effects

However, taking too much vitamin D in the form of supplements can be harmful. Children age 9 years and older, adults, and pregnant and breastfeeding women who take more than 4,000 IU a day of vitamin D might experience: Nausea and vomiting. Poor appetite and weight loss.

How long should you be on vitamin D3? ›

Official answer. Generally, it takes a few weeks of taking daily vitamin D supplements for vitamin D levels in the body to rise. Each 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 taken daily is expected to raise blood levels of 25(OH)D by 10 ng/ml after a few weeks.

Is 5000 IU of vitamin D3 safe? ›

Unless your doctor recommends it, avoid taking more than 4,000 IU per day, which is considered the safe upper limit.

Is vitamin D3 good or bad for you? ›

Vitamin D3 is beneficial for weight management because it: Helps regulate hormones, like leptin, that are involved in stimulating appetite22. Promotes a healthier body composition with less excess fat and more muscle. Boosts muscle function and strength; having more muscle means you burn more calories at rest.

What are the signs you need vitamin D3? ›

Possible symptoms include:
  • Muscle pain.
  • Bone pain.
  • Increased sensitivity to pain.
  • A tingly, “pins-and-needles” sensation in the hands or feet.
  • Muscle weakness in body parts near the trunk of the body, such as the upper arms or thighs.
  • Waddling while walking, due to muscle weakness in the hips or legs.

What are the symptoms of vitamin D negative? ›

Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency may include:
  • Fatigue.
  • Not sleeping well.
  • Bone pain or achiness.
  • Depression or feelings of sadness.
  • Hair loss.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Getting sick more easily.

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