Colecalciferol

If you are not getting enough vitamin D, your doctor may prescribe colecalciferol. Vitamin D is produced naturally in your body when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Most people get enough vitamin D this way. A small amount of vitamin D comes from foods such as oily fish (salmon, mackerel, tuna), eggs, margarine and some milk. 

• In New Zealand, vitamin D levels are lowest during winter.
• Females tend to have lower vitamin D levels than males.
• People over the age of 70 years, particularly those in residential care, are exposed to less sunshine and have a reduced ability to make vitamin D.
• Māori and Pacific Peoples have lower levels of vitamin D than do Pakeha/Europeans.
• People with darker skin, such as Africans and Indians, are likely to have lower levels of vitamin D.
• Obese people have lower levels of vitamin D than non-obese people.

Read more about:

• vitamin D
• whether you need a vitamin D supplement 
• the risk of vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy.

Most people don't have their vitamin D level checked and can start colecalciferol safely without having a blood test. Your doctor will assess your risk of being vitamin D deficient (not getting enough vitamin D), and may prescribe colecalciferol if you are at higher risk. It is also not necessary have vitamin D levels checked while you are taking colecalciferol, as it can be safely given without this monitoring.

• The usual dose of colecalciferol is 1 capsule once a month.
• You may be asked to take 2 capsules as your first dose, followed by 1 capsule every month thereafter. 
• Some people who have very low vitamin D may need higher doses, such as 1 capsule once a day for 10 days, followed by 1 capsule every month thereafter. If you have deficiency from liver disease you may need to continue to take a capsule daily.
  
• Always take your colecalciferol exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much to take, how often to take it and any special instructions. 

• If you have been advised to take colecalciferol once a month, choose a date that is easy for you to remember and mark it on the calendar, eg, the first day of each month or the last day of each month. 
• Food: Colecalciferol can be taken with or without food.
• Missed dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember, even if it is a few days later. But, if it is nearly the day for your next dose, just take the next dose on the right day. Do not double the dose.

Here are some things to know when you're taking colecalciferol. Other things may be important as well, so ask your healthcare provider what you should know about.

• Peanut or soy allergy: Vit.D3 contains soya oil inside the capsule.  Some people are allergic to soya oil and some people with peanut allergy also react to soya oil. The soft gelatin capsule should not be taken by people who are allergic to peanut or soya.
• Other medicines: Some health supplements, multivitamin products and calcium supplements may also contain vitamin D, so check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting colecalciferol and before starting any new supplements.
• Your doctor may also advise you to have plenty of calcium in your diet.

Like all medicines, colecalciferol can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them. 

Peanut and soy allergy

Colecalciferol soft gelatin capsules contain soybean oil. Some medicines containing soybean oil might cause an allergic reaction in patients with a peanut or soy allergy. If you have a peanut or soy allergy, ensure that your doctor or pharmacist is aware of this and ask them to check your medicines. Read more Medsafe safety information(external link).

Other side effects