Vitamin D and Related Compounds : Before Using

Vitamin D and Related Compounds - Systemic

Vitamin D and Related Compounds *** Before Using *** How to Use *** Fore Safe Use *** Side Effects

Before Using This Dietary Supplement

If you are taking this dietary supplement without a prescription, carefully read and follow any precautions on the label. For vitamin D and related compounds, the following must be considered

Allergic reaction

Tell your health care professional if you have ever had any unusual or allergy to alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, doxercalciferol, ergocalciferol, or paricalcitol. Always tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

Pregnancy care

It is especially important that you are receiving enough vitamin D when you become pregnant and that you continue to receive the right amounts of vitamins throughout your pregnancy. The healthy growth and development of the fetus depend on a steady supply of nutrients from the mother.

You may need vitamin D supplements if you are a strict vegetarian - vegan-vegetarian andhave little exposure to sunlight and do not drink vitamin D-fortified milk.

Taking too much alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, or ergocalciferol can also be harmful to the fetus. Taking more than your health care professional has recommended can cause your baby to be more sensitive than usual to its effects, can cause problems with a gland called the parathyroid, and can cause a defect in the baby's heart.

Doxercalciferol or paricalcitol have not been studied in pregnant women. However, studies in pets have shown that paricalcitol causes problems in newborns. Before taking this drug, make sure your family doctor knows if you are pregnant or if you may become pregnant.

Breast-feeding problem

It is especially important that you receive the right amounts of vitamins so that your baby will also get the vitamins needed to grow properly. Infants who are totally breast-fed and have little exposure to the sun may require vitamin D supplementation. However, taking large amounts of a dietary supplement while breast-feeding may be harmful to the mother andbaby and must be avoided.

Only small amounts of alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, or dihydrotachysterol pass into breast milk and these amounts have not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.

It is not known whether doxercalciferol or paricalcitol passes into breast milk. Be sure you have discussed the chance and benefits of the supplement with your family doctor.

Use for Children

Problems in child have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts. Some studies have shown that infants who are totally breast-fed, especially with dark-skinned mothers and have little exposure to sunlight may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Your health care professional may prescribe a vitamin/mineral supplement that contains vitamin D. Some infants may be sensitive to even small amounts of alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, or ergocalciferol. Always children may show slowed growth when receiving large doses of alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, or ergocalciferol for a long time.

Studies on doxercalciferol or paricalcitol have been done only in adult diseaseds and there is no special info comparing the use of doxercalciferol or paricalcitol in child with use in other age groups.

Elderly care

Problems in older adults have not been reported with intake of normal daily recommended amounts. Studies have shown that older adults may have lower blood levels of vitamin D than adults people, especially those who have little exposure to sunlight. Your health care professional may recommend that you take a vitamin supplement that contains vitamin D.

Medicines or other dietary supplements Although certain medication or dietary supplements must not be using together at all, in other cases they may be using together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your health care professional may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking vitamin D and related compounds, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:

Antacids containing magnesium Use of these products with any vitamin D-related compound may result in high blood levels of magnesium, especially in diseaseds with kidney disease

Calcium-containing preparations
Thiazide diuretics - water pills Use of these preparations with vitamin D may cause high blood levels of calcium and increase the risk of side effects

Vitamin D and related compounds, other Use of vitamin D with a related compound may cause high blood levels of vitamin D and increase the risk of side effects.

Other Information for using

The presence of other medical problems may effect the use of vitamin D and related compounds. Make sure you tell your health care professional if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Heart or blood vessel disease Alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, or dihydrotachysterol may cause hypercalcemia - high blood levels of calcium, which may make these conditions worse

Kidney disease High blood levels of alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, or ergocalciferol may result, which may increase the risk of side effects

Sarcoidosis May increase sensitivity to alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, dihydrotachysterol, or ergocalciferol and increase the risk of side effects