Did your doctor prescribe you a vitamin D pill? Or maybe you buy it yourself from a pharmacy. These come in chewable tablets, so they are very easy to use. But knowing a few things about this medicine is very important for your health. Today, we will talk about what vitamin D is, why our bodies need it, and what we need to be careful about when using these pills.
Simply put, what is vitamin D?
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient for our body. To be precise, it acts as both a vitamin and a hormone. You use these pills to correct and maintain vitamin D levels in the body when they are low. One of its main functions is to help the body absorb calcium from the foods we eat. So, vitamin D and calcium are like two best friends. Together, these two keep our
bones strong and healthy. Not only that, vitamin D helps our
immune system function properly , which means it increases our resistance to diseases. It is also very important for our
brain health .
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before using vitamin D pills, it is essential to tell your doctor about any other illnesses or health conditions you have, as some conditions require extreme caution when using vitamin D.
Remember, the more your doctor knows about your complete health history , the safer he or she can treat you.
If you have any of the conditions in the table below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Health condition or opportunity | Why should you inform the doctor? (A simple explanation) |
|---|
| Increased calcium levels in the blood | Since vitamin D increases the body's absorption of calcium, it can be dangerous if calcium levels are already high. |
| Increased blood vitamin D levels | If levels are already high, taking more vitamin D can cause toxicity. |
| Kidney disease | The kidneys are directly involved in the metabolism of vitamin D and calcium. If the kidneys are weak, their ability to control these is reduced. |
| Liver disease | Our body activates vitamin D through the liver and kidneys. If there is a problem with the liver, this process can be disrupted. |
| Parathyroid disease | This gland controls the body's calcium levels. If there is a disease here, taking vitamin D can cause calcium levels to become unbalanced. |
| Digestive system diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, Cystic fibrosis) | In these conditions, the body's ability to absorb fat is reduced. Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, its absorption may also be reduced. |
| Allergy to vitamin D or other medications, foods, or dyes | If you are allergic to anything, it is very important to inform your doctor about it. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | Any medication during pregnancy should only be used on medical advice. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | A small amount of the vitamin D you take can pass to your baby through breast milk. Therefore, the dosage should be determined according to the doctor's advice. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
This is a chewable tablet, so it's very easy to use. But to get the most out of it, keep these things in mind.
- Chew well: This tablet should be chewed completely and swallowed. Do not swallow the whole tablet with water.
- Take with food: Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin . This means that it is best absorbed by the body when taken with a fatty meal. So, take this pill with something like milk, yogurt , or cheese, or with your main meal.
- Take it on time: If possible, get into the habit of taking this pill at the same time every day. That way, you're less likely to forget.
- Take only as directed by your doctor: Do not take more than the prescribed dose.
If you give it to small children...
Doctors sometimes prescribe this medicine to young children, but only on medical advice. If you are giving it to a child, be sure to ask your doctor about the dosage and other precautions.
What to do if you take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine,
go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call
the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine is for you only. Never share your vitamin D tablets with anyone else.
What if I forget to take a dose?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is very close to the time for your next dose (e.g., only a few hours away), skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time.
Do not take two doses at once for any reason. Other medications that may interact with vitamin D
Other medications you take may interact with vitamin D. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you take (prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, herbal products, vitamins).
| Type of medicine | Possible impact |
|---|
| Antacids - some medications used for gastritis | Some antacids contain magnesium. Taking them with vitamin D can increase blood magnesium levels. |
| Diuretics - medicines that remove water from the body | Some diuretics can cause dangerously high blood calcium levels when taken with vitamin D. |
| Cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g., Cholestyramine, Colestipol) | These medications can reduce the body's absorption of vitamin D. |
| Medications for epilepsy (e.g. Phenytoin, Fosphenytoin) | This medicine speeds up the breakdown of vitamin D in the body. |
| Orlistat (a weight loss drug) | Since this reduces fat absorption, vitamin D absorption may also be reduced. |
Things to be careful about while taking the medicine
- Don't skip medical tests : When taking vitamin D, your doctor will likely ask you to do a blood test . It checks whether your calcium and vitamin D levels are adequate. So, is it okay to skip those tests?
- Avoid taking other supplements: Do not take any other medications or supplements containing vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus without your doctor's advice. Doing so may increase the amount of these nutrients in your body and cause side effects .
What are the possible side effects?
Like any medication, vitamin D can have side effects. But most people don't. Let's take a look at what those side effects are, and what to be wary of.
Side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately: Usually nothing to worry about (but tell
the doctor if they persist)
| Allergic reactions | |
| Symptoms of high calcium level | - Feeling excessively thirsty or urinating frequently
- Nausea, vomiting
- Confusion of mind.
- Feeling unusually tired
- Pain in the bones
|
| Constipation | It can often be avoided by changing your diet and drinking plenty of water. |
| Loss of appetite | This may be temporary, but if it persists, seek medical advice. |
| Nausea | This can be reduced by taking the medicine with food. |
How do you store and dispose of medication?
- Storage:
- Keep out of reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius).
- Keep the bottle tightly closed, away from light and moisture.
- Disposing of expired medication:
- Do not use expired medicine.
- The best way to dispose of these is to hand them over to a medication collection program at a hospital or pharmacy.
- If that is not possible, remove the pills from the bottle and mix them with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter. Then, put the mixture in a bag or container, seal it well, and throw it in the trash. This will help keep children or animals out of the way. Never flush medication down the toilet.
Take-Home Message
- Always chew and swallow vitamin D chewable tablets thoroughly. Do not swallow them whole.
- For best results, take the medicine with a fat-containing food, such as milk or yogurt.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about any other medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- If you experience symptoms of high calcium levels, such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and nausea, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid taking other supplements containing calcium or vitamin D without your doctor's advice.
- This medicine is for you only. Do not share it with others.
Vitamin D, chewable tablets, calcium, bone health, side effects, vitamin D deficiency
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