9.6.4 Vitamin D
Alfacalcidol and calcitriol are preferred for patients with renal impairment who require vitamin D. Clinicians taking over shared care or prescribing for the first time should ensure that:
- Calcium plasma levels are monitored regularly
- Dosing frequency is appropriate- usually once daily but can be a weekly administration
- The correct dose is prescribed/ supplied as there is sometimes confusion over micrograms and nanograms.
Adcal D3 and Calceos are for use where calcium is required in addition to vitamin D. For advice on treating osteoporosis see chapter 6.6.
Please also see:
| Pack |
|---|
| 112 tablet |
| Pack |
|---|
| 56 tablet (4 x 14 tablets) |
As an alternative to Adcal D3® where palatability is an issue
| Pack |
|---|
| 60 tablet (4 tubes of 15 tablets) |
| Pack |
|---|
| 30 capsule |
| Pack |
|---|
| 30 capsule |
100 nanograms per drop
| Pack |
|---|
| 10 ml |
| Treatment for Vitamin D Deficiency and Maintenance | |
| Treatment |
InVita D3 50,000unit capsules InVita D3 50,000units/1ml oral solution Fultium-D3 3,200unit capsules Stexerol-D3 25,000unit tablets Thorens 10,000units/ml oral drops |
| Maintenance - only to be prescribed in exceptional circumstances when patient is exempt from NHS self-care criteria |
Stexerol-D3 1,000unit tablets Fultium-D3 800unit capsules Desunin 800unit tablets Fultium-D3 2,740units/ml oral drops |
| Hospital Only | Colecalciferol 300,000units/1ml solution for injection ampoules (unlicensed) |
Colecalciferol 800unit tablets and capsules are available OTC
| Pack |
|---|
| 30 tablet (2 x 15 tablets) |
| 90 tablet (6 x 15 tablets) |
| Pack |
|---|
| 30 capsule (3 x 10 capsules) |
| 90 capsule (9 x 10 capsules) |
| Pack |
|---|
| 30 capsule (3 x 10 capsules) |
| 90 capsule |
| Pack |
|---|
| 25 ml |
| Pack |
|---|
| 3 capsule |
| Pack |
|---|
| 3 ampoule |
| Pack |
|---|
| 28 tablet |
| Pack |
|---|
| 12 tablet |
| Pack |
|---|
| 10 ml |
| Pack |
|---|
| 1 ampoule |
- First Line Drugs
- Second Line Drugs
- Specialist Initiated or Recommended Drugs
- Specialist Initiated Drugs with Shared Care Guidelines
- Specialist Only Drugs
- Mixed Status