Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved vitamin D oral capsule to treat:
This article describes possible side effects of vitamin D oral capsule. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for vitamin D. To learn more about vitamin D oral capsule, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Vitamin D oral capsule is a generic version of the brand-name drug Drisdol. This type of vitamin D is also called ergocalciferol. A different type of vitamin D called cholecalciferol also comes in other forms that you’ll swallow, but these aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
More common side effects of vitamin D
Vitamin D oral capsule may cause mild or serious side effects. Typically, side effects with vitamin D happen if you have too much vitamin D in your body. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of vitamin D oral capsule include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of vitamin D in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of vitamin D
Vitamin D oral capsule may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of vitamin D oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of vitamin D in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with vitamin D oral capsule. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of vitamin D
Side effects of vitamin D oral capsule are typically due to a high level of vitamin D in your body. Usually, these are mild, but if high vitamin D levels are left untreated, side effects may become serious. If you have any serious side effects from vitamin D oral capsule, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with vitamin D.
Serious side effects of vitamin D oral capsule that occurred in studies include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of vitamin D in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with vitamin D oral capsule. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Side effects of vitamin D in children
For children, doctors prescribe vitamin D oral capsule to treat the following conditions:
In studies, the following side effects occurred in children and not in adults:
- a slowdown in growth rate
- high levels of calcium buildup in bones
Common questions about side effects of vitamin D
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of vitamin D oral capsule. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can vitamin D cause anxiety?
No. Anxiety was not reported as a side effect in studies of vitamin D oral capsule.
However, anxiety can be a symptom of hypoparathyroidism, which vitamin D oral capsule treats. Taking vitamin D oral capsule may help ease this symptom.
If you have concerns about anxiety while taking vitamin D oral capsule, talk with your doctor.
Does vitamin D cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases vitamin D oral capsule may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time. These side effects may also last for a while after you’ve stopped taking the drug.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with vitamin D oral capsule include:
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the possible long-term side effects of vitamin D oral capsule.
Coupon for vitamin D
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for vitamin D when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Side effects of vitamin D in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of vitamin D oral capsule.
Constipation
In studies, constipation was rare in people taking vitamin D oral capsule. This side effect is usually mild and it’s typically due to having too much vitamin D in your body.
With constipation, you may have hard, dry stools or fewer than three bowel movements per week. Other symptoms may include straining during bowel movements or feeling full even after having a bowel movement.
Certain factors can increase the risk of constipation with vitamin D oral capsule. These include taking vitamin D long term or taking high doses of vitamin D.
Ways to manage
If you experience constipation while taking vitamin D oral capsule, tell your doctor. They’ll likely order a blood test to check your vitamin D level. If your level is too high, they may lower your vitamin D dosage or have you stop taking this medication.
They may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription medication to help relieve your constipation.
Kidney stones
In studies, kidney stones were rare in people taking vitamin D oral capsule. This side effect may be serious. It’s usually caused by a high level of vitamin D in your body.
With kidney stones, you have a buildup of calcium and other minerals in your kidneys. The buildup of these minerals can cause stones to form. These stones can make it difficult for you to pass urine. Symptoms may include:
Certain factors can increase the risk of kidney stones with vitamin D oral capsule. These include taking vitamin D long term or taking high doses of vitamin D.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of kidney stones, tell your doctor. They’ll likely order tests to find out whether you have kidney stones. If the tests confirm that you have kidney stones, your doctor will likely recommend increasing your fluid intake.
They may also prescribe medication to help you pass your kidney stones and relieve pain.
Nausea
In studies, nausea was rare in people taking vitamin D oral capsule. This side effect is usually mild. It may be a sign that your vitamin D level is too high.
With nausea, you have a sensation of wanting to vomit. Symptoms may include stomach discomfort or pain and dry heaving.
Certain factors can increase the risk of nausea with vitamin D oral capsule. These include taking vitamin D long term or taking high doses of vitamin D.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of nausea, tell your doctor. They may order a blood test to check your vitamin D level. If your vitamin D level is too high, they’ll likely lower your vitamin D dosage or have you stop taking the medication.
They may also recommend over-the-counter or prescription medication to help relieve nausea.
Allergic reaction
For some people, vitamin D oral capsule can cause an allergic reaction.
But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to vitamin D oral capsule, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for vitamin D
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking vitamin D oral capsule.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take vitamin D oral capsule if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether vitamin D oral capsule is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking vitamin D oral capsule, tell your doctor about your health and any medications or supplements you take. If you have any of the following conditions, it’s important that your doctor knows about them:
Vitamin D and pregnancy
It’s not known whether vitamin D oral capsule should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Vitamin D and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether vitamin D oral capsule should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Vitamin D and alcohol
Vitamin D oral capsule is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with vitamin D oral capsule.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of vitamin D oral capsule. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Will my vitamin D level be checked regularly to lower my risk of side effects while I’m taking this medication?
- Can I take vitamin D oral capsule if I’ve had kidney stones in the past?
- Is my risk of side effects with vitamin D oral capsule higher if I have kidney problems?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
