Drisdol

Drisdol is vitamin D2. Vitamin D helps your body take in calcium.

Drisdol is used to treat hypoparathyroidism (when the parathyroid glands do not work well).

Drisdol is also used to treat rickets (soft bones due to vitamin D deficiency) or low phosphate levels in the blood (hypophosphatemia).

Drisdol may also be used for other reasons that are not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use only the recommended dose of ergocalciferol.

It may be best to take Drisdol after a meal, but you can take Drisdol with or without food.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

You will need frequent medical tests.

Your doctor may start to lower your Drisdol dose as your condition improves. Carefully follow all instructions about changing your dose. In some cases, there may be a very small difference between safe and dangerous doses of this medicine.

Your doctor will decide how long to treat you with this medicine.

Drisdol may be just one part of a complete treatment program that also includes dietary changes and taking calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow your doctor's instructions very closely.

Learn about the foods you should eat to ensure you get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Your Drisdol dose may need to be adjusted as you change your diet.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not take Drisdol if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your body, or if you have any condition that makes it difficult for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

Use only the recommended dose of ergocalciferol. Taking too much could lead to serious or life-threatening side effects.

You should not take Drisdol if you have had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have:

• high levels of vitamin D in your body (hypervitaminosis D);
• high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia); or
• any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;
• kidney disease; or
• an electrolyte imbalance.

Certain forms of ergocalciferol may contain ingredients you should know about, such as peanut or soybean oil, sugar, aspartame (phenylalanine), or certain food dyes. Ask a doctor before using Drisdol if you have allergies, diabetes, or phenylketonuria (PKU).

Too much vitamin D could harm an unborn baby, and your dose needs may be different during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while taking Drisdol.

Ergocalciferol can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in the nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.

Do not give Drisdol to a child without medical advice. Your child's dose will depend on age, weight, diet, and other factors.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking Drisdol and call your doctor immediately if you experience:

• chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• growth problems (in a child taking Drisdol); or
• early signs of vitamin D overdose--weakness, metallic taste in your mouth, weight loss, muscle or bone pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

Less serious side effects may happen more often, and you may not have any at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. Taking too much vitamin D can lead to severe or life-threatening side effects.

Signs of an overdose may include nausea, loss of appetite, thirst, urinating more or less than usual, body aches, stiffness, confusion, or irregular heartbeats.

Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking any multivitamins, mineral supplements, or antacids while you are using Drisdol.

Some medications can affect how well your body absorbs vitamin D. If you are taking other medicines, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take Drisdol.

Inform your doctor about all your other medications, especially:

• a diuretic or "water pill"; or
• mineral oil (which is sometimes used as a laxative).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may influence Drisdol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all potential drug interactions are included here.