Ortho DF

Cholecalciferol is vitamin D3. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.

Folic acid is vitamin B9, or folate. Vitamin B9 helps your body produce and maintain new cells. Folic acid also helps prevent some types of birth defects when taken by pregnant women.

Ortho DF is a combination medicine used for people who do not get enough of these vitamins in their diets to stay healthy.

Ortho DF may also be used for reasons not listed in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Always follow directions on the medicine label about giving cholecalciferol and vitamin D to a child. Your child's dose will depend on age, weight, diet, and other factors.

Learn about the foods you should eat to ensure you get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Your Ortho DF dose may need to be adjusted as you make changes to your diet. Use only the recommended dose of cholecalciferol and folic acid.

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

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

You should not take this medicine if you have 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 hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

You should not use Ortho DF if you have ever had an allergic reaction to vitamin D or folic acid, 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).

Folic acid is sometimes used with other medications to treat pernicious anemia. However, Ortho DF will not treat Vitamin B12 deficiency and will not prevent possible damage to the spinal cord. Take all of your medications as directed by your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia);
• heart disease;
• kidney disease; or
• a thyroid disorder.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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

Stop taking Ortho DF and contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
• weakness; or
• increased urination.

You may be more likely to experience less serious side effects, or you may have none at all.

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

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

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose of vitamin D can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.

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

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any multivitamins, mineral supplements, or antacids while you are taking Ortho DF.

If you take other medications, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take Ortho DF. Some medications can make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin D.

Other drugs may affect Ortho DF, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about all other medicines you are using.