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Fat-Soluble·Vitamins & Minerals
Prevention and treatment of Vitamin D deficiency, adjunct to osteoporosis therapy
Target Level
> 50 nmol/L
Half-life
3-6 WEEKS
Toxicity
RARE
Hypercalcemia
RISK
Overview
Colecalciferol (Vitamin D3). Essential fat-soluble vitamin. Acts as a hormone to regulate calcium and phosphate homeostasis, ensuring bone mineralization and immune function.
Maximum Dose
Max 4000 IU/day (maintenance). Acute loading doses up to 500,000 IU total over weeks.
Clinical Focus
Purely taking calcium supplements without adequate Vitamin D is useless, as Vitamin D is required to actively absorb calcium from the gut.
Bottom Line
Vitamin D is essential supplementation for bone health, calcium absorption, and deficiency states, but toxicity causes dangerous hypercalcaemia and should be monitored if high-dose therapy is used.
Brand Names
Ostelin, Osteavit
Oral Routes
Capsules/Tablets (1000 IU, 7000 IU). Oral liquid.
Prescribing & PBS
Over The Counter (OTC). High strength requires prescription.
Primary
Prevention and treatment of Vitamin D deficiency, adjunct to osteoporosis therapy.
Clinical Place
Mandatory co-prescription with all bisphosphonates (Alendronate) and RANKL inhibitors (Denosumab) to prevent severe hypocalcemia.