HOW SHOULD THIS MEDICINE BE USED?
Drisdol® (ergocalciferol, USP) capsules should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Your dosage is based on your medical condition, diet, age, and response to treatment.
Vitamin D should not be given to infants who have high levels of calcium.
KEEP DRISDOL CAPSULES OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN
Drisdol capsules are best absorbed when taken with or after a meal, but they may be taken with or without food.
Certain medications can increase the absorption of vitamin D. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any other medications or over-the-counter supplements or herbal preparations will affect absorption of Drisdol capsules, and, if so, ask your doctor or pharmacist for an appropriate dosing schedule. Make sure that you tell your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, and herbal and dietary supplements that you are taking.
In addition, you can be receiving vitamin D from other sources including fortified foods. Make sure that you tell your doctor about any fortified foods that you may be taking.
If you are taking Drisdol capsules for the treatment of vitamin D resistant rickets, you should be aware that there is a very narrow range in the dose you can receive where it will help you before the dose is toxic to your body.
Your doctor will monitor the phosphorus levels in your body and may prescribe supplementation to maintain normal phosphorus levels.
Excessive vitamin D during pregnancy has been shown to cause fetal abnormalities. You should avoid vitamin D in doses above the recommended dietary amount unless your doctors believes that the benefit clearly outweighs the risk of taking the medicine.
Your doctor will only prescribe Drisdol capsules (and with caution) if you are nursing, as large doses of vitamin D have been shown to pass through to breast milk.
The dose of vitamin D given to children must be individualized for each patient.
Older patients may absorb vitamin D more quickly than younger patients. If you are older, your doctor may start you on a low dose of Drisdol capsules and slowly increase your dose based on your response.
WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER?
To make sure that you can safely take Drisdol capsules, tell your doctor if you have any of these conditions:
- Heart disease
- Coronary artery disease
- Kidney disease
- An electrolyte imbalance, including high phosphate levels
- A calcium imbalance
You should also tell your doctor:
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or are breast feeding
- If you are taking prescription or nonprescription medicines, herbal preparations or dietary supplements
- If you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances, including any vitamin D products
TAKING OTHER MEDICINES:
Drug interactions may change how your medicines work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medications without your doctor’s approval. Check the labels on all of your prescription and nonprescription products because they may contain vitamin D.
You should also check with your doctor for a dosing schedule for Drisdol capsules and any other medicines or supplements so that you can reduce the potential for side effects.
Mineral oil interferes with the absorption of Drisdol capsules into your body.
If you are taking diuretics containing thiazide to treat low levels of parathyroid hormone, Drisdol capsules may cause an excessive increase in the amount of calcium in your body.
THIS LIST IS NOT COMPLETE AND OTHER DRUGS MAY INTREACT WITH DRISDOL CAPSULES. TELL YOUR DOCTORS ABOUT ALL MEDICINES YOU USE. THIS INCLUDES PRESCRIPTION, OVER-THE-COUNTER, VITAMIN, AND HERBAL PRODUCTS. DO NOT START A NEW MEDICATION WITHOUT TELLING YOUR DOCTOR.