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Ergocalciferol (VITAMIN D2) (ergocalciferol (vitamin D2))

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data

Overview

Ergocalciferol is a vitamin D analog.

USES: Vitamin D (ergocalciferol-D2, cholecalciferol-D3, alfacalcidol) is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Having the right amount of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus is important for building and keeping strong bones. Vitamin D is used to treat and prevent bone disorders (such as rickets, osteomalacia).

Vitamin D is made by the body when skin is exposed to sunlight. Sunscreen, protective clothing, limited exposure to sunlight, dark skin, and age may prevent getting enough vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D with calcium is used to treat or prevent bone loss (osteoporosis).

Vitamin D is also used with other medications to treat low levels of calcium or phosphate caused by certain disorders (such as hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, familial hypophosphatemia). It may be used in kidney disease to keep calcium levels normal and allow normal bone growth. Vitamin D drops (or other supplements) are given to breastfed infants because breast milk usually has low levels of vitamin D.

Generic name: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2)

Reference product & biosimilars

No reference, biosimilar or interchangeable associated with this drug.

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Indications

The following indications are listed for Ergocalciferol (VITAMIN D2):

  • Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis
  • Hypocalcemia
  • Hypoparathyroidism
  • Osteomalacia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Prevention Of Vitamin D Deficiency
  • Rickets
  • Vitamin D Deficiency
  • Vitamin D Dependent Rickets
  • X-Linked Hypophosphatemic Osteomalacia

Also known as: Abnormally Decreased Serum Calcium, Active Rickets, Adult Rickets, Condition Due To Low Levels Of Pth, Familial Hypophosphatemia, Familial X-Linked Hypophosphatemic Vitamin D Refractory Rickets, Glucocorticoid Hormone-Induced Osteoporosis, Glucocorticoid Induced Osteoporosis, Glycocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis, Late Rickets, Rachitis, Rachitis Tarda, Vitamin D Dependent Infantile Osteomalacia, Vitamin D Dependent Juvenile Osteomalacia, Vitamin D Dependent Rachitis, Vitamin D Resistant Rickets, Vitamin D-Resistant Osteomalacia, Vitamin D-Resistant Rickets.

Dosing

Each mg of ergocalciferol is equivalent to 40,000 USP units; each mcg of the drug is equivalent to 40 USP units.

Dosage is expressed by weight (mg, mcg) or in terms of units.

During therapy with ergocalciferol, dosage depends on the nature and severity of the patient's hypocalcemia and must be individualized to maintain serum calcium concentrations of 9-10 mg/dL. In patients with familial hypophosphatemia (vitamin D-resistant rickets) or hypoparathyroidism, determinations of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations should be made every 2 weeks or more frequently as needed. In these patients, the manufacturers of ergocalciferol recommend that radiographic examination of the bones be performed every month until the condition stabilizes or is corrected; however, some clinicians believe that this is unnecessary.

The manufacturers state that patients with malabsorption syndrome should not receive oral ergocalciferol.

Drug interactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Contraindications

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Adverse reactions

There is no enhanced messaging for this drug.

Precautions

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ICD codes

No ICD codes are available for this drug.

Formulary status

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Last reviewed · Source: First Databank (FDB) drug data