Vitamin D (ergocalciferol)

Drug Details

Vitamin D, available as ergocalciferol (D2), cholecalciferol (D3), or alfacalcidol, is a crucial fat-soluble vitamin that aids your body in absorbing calcium and phosphorus, essential for maintaining and building strong bones. It's primarily used to treat and prevent bone-related disorders like rickets and osteomalacia. Additionally, Vitamin D, often paired with calcium, is effective in preventing or treating osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones. It also plays a role in managing low calcium or phosphate levels due to specific conditions such as hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, and familial hypophosphatemia. For individuals with kidney disease, Vitamin D helps maintain normal calcium levels and supports bone growth. Since breast milk typically contains insufficient Vitamin D, supplements, such as drops, are recommended for breastfed infants. The body naturally produces Vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight; however, factors like sunscreen use, protective clothing, limited sun exposure, darker skin, and aging can reduce this natural production.