Has your doctor prescribed vitamin D pills for you? Or have you seen someone you know using them? Vitamin D is essential for many things, such as strengthening our bones and boosting our immunity. We often call it the 'sunshine vitamin'. But not everyone can get enough vitamin D from sunlight alone. That's when doctors recommend these pills. However, there are a few things we need to be careful about when using these pills. Let's talk about them today.
What is vitamin D? Why is it so important for us?
Simply put, vitamin D is an essential nutrient for our body to function. One of its main functions is to help the body absorb calcium from the foods we eat.
Just think, no matter how much calcium-rich milk and cheese we eat, if our body doesn't have enough vitamin D, that calcium won't be absorbed properly. Just like you need a key to open a door, you need vitamin D to absorb calcium.
Some of the main advantages of this are:
- Strong bones and teeth: Calcium and vitamin D work together to strengthen our bones and teeth. If these are not enough, diseases like rickets, which weakens the bones in young children, and conditions like osteoporosis, which weakens the bones in adults, can occur.
- Supports the immune system: Vitamin D helps our immune system, which fights disease in our body, function properly. This is important to protect against infections like frequent colds and coughs.
- Brain and nervous system health: Research has found that vitamin D has an impact on the healthy functioning of our brain and mental well-being.
Tell your doctor about these things before using vitamin D.
Although vitamin D is a very safe drug, some people should be especially careful before using it. Before you start taking vitamin D pills, you should definitely tell your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions.
| Medical condition | Why should you tell the doctor? (Simply) |
|---|---|
| High blood calcium | This condition can be made worse by increasing calcium intake with vitamin D. |
| Kidney disease | Vitamin D is activated in the kidneys. If there is a problem with the kidneys, vitamin D and calcium levels can be disrupted. |
| Liver disease | The liver is also involved in the metabolism of vitamin D. Therefore, caution should be exercised if you have liver disease. |
| Digestive system diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis) | When you have these types of diseases, your body may not absorb vitamin D. Therefore, your dosage may need to be adjusted. |
| Allergies to other medicines, foods or substances | It is very important to inform your doctor if you have had a previous allergy to vitamin D or anything else. |
| If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant | The amount of vitamin D needed during pregnancy varies. Therefore, follow your doctor's instructions. |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | Since a small amount of the vitamin D you take passes to your baby through your milk, it's important to let your doctor know. |
How exactly do I use this medicine?
To get the most out of vitamin D, it is very important to use it correctly.
For best results, take your vitamin D pill with a meal containing fat.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means that it needs a small amount of fat to be absorbed by the body. Therefore, take your vitamin D pill with a glass of milk, yogurt, a piece of cheese, or with a main meal. It's more effective than taking it on an empty stomach. It's also a good idea to get into the habit of taking it at the same time every day.
Never take more than the amount recommended by your doctor.
What do you do if you forget to take a medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Do not take a double dose for any reason.
What to do if you take too much medicine (overdose)?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, don't delay. Go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Also, if possible, call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Other medications that may interact with vitamin D
If you are taking medication for another condition, some of those medications may interact with vitamin D. That means that those medications may decrease or increase the effectiveness of vitamin D.
Below are just a few examples:
- Types of Antacids
- Some diuretics
- Cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g., cholestyramine, colestipol)
- Medicines for seizures (e.g. phenytoin)
- Mineral oil
- Orlistat (a weight loss drug)
This list is not complete, so it is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (including medications prescribed by other doctors, Ayurvedic medicines, vitamins, and supplements) .
Let's learn about side effects.
Most people do not experience any major side effects from vitamin D. However, sometimes, especially if the dose is too high, certain symptoms may occur. It is important to be aware of these.
| Possible side effects of vitamin D use | |
|---|---|
| 🚨 Things to tell your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Symptoms of high calcium levels | Unusually excessive thirst, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, confusion, extreme fatigue, bone pain. |
| 🩺 Tell your doctor if it persists or is bothersome. | |
| Constipation | Dry stomach. |
| Loss of appetite | Decreased appetite. |
| Nausea | Feeling like vomiting. |
How do you store and dispose of medication safely?
Medicines are things that can be beneficial if used correctly, but can be dangerous if used incorrectly. That's why it's so important to keep them safe.
- Keep out of reach of children and pets.
- Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius) away from light and moisture. Not recommended in the bathroom.
- Never use expired medicine.
When disposing of expired or unwanted medications, avoid throwing them in the trash. The best way to dispose of them is to take the pills out of the container, mix them with something like used coffee grounds, soil, or cat litter, and put them in a tightly sealed bag. If you are unsure, ask your doctor for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Always take vitamin D tablets as directed by your doctor, for the prescribed period of time. Do not change the dose or take more than you need on your own.
- For best results, take the vitamin D pill with a fat-containing food such as milk or yogurt.
- Inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have (especially kidney and liver disease) and all other medications you are taking.
- If you experience symptoms of high calcium levels, such as excessive thirst and frequent urination, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid taking other nutritional supplements containing calcium, magnesium, or phosphorus while taking vitamin D without consulting your doctor.
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