Everyone can benefit from taking colecalciferol as a daily vitamin D supplement. Adults who are not at risk of vitamin D deficiency should consider taking a daily supplement of 10 micrograms of vitamin D during autumn and winter. Colecalciferol is a form of vitamin D. It helps your body to take in more calcium and phosphorous from the food you eat, and helps your kidneys to keep more calcium instead of peeing it out.

Your colecalciferol liquid should come with a plastic syringe. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for one. Taking too much colecalciferol can cause calcium and phosphate to build up in your body (hypercalcaemia). If you're taking colecalciferol capsules or tablets, swallow them whole with some water. Take them with your main meal of the day. Chewable tablets

People at high risk of low levels of vitamin D include -Breastfed infants, people who rarely expose their skin to the sun, people with darker skin tones, older adults, people with conditions that limit fat absorption, such as Crohn’s disease, people with obesity or who have undergone gastric bypass surgery.

Too little calcium in the body is known as hypocalcemia - Over time, a calcium deficiency may result in the following symptoms: muscle aches, pains, and cramps, tingling or numbness in the hands, arms, legs, feet, and around the mouth, fatigue, insomnia, brain fog, dry skin, nails, and hair Children with severe vitamin D deficiency usually take a loading dose for 8 to 12 weeks. They may then take a lower, maintenance dose of vitamin D long term. Dosages for SunVit D3 vary greatly due to the fact that they’re designed as a supplement and treatment. Within the treatments, in particular, strengths differ greatly due to the fact that severe deficiencies also do. Adults who are at risk of vitamin D deficiency should take a daily supplement of 10 micrograms of vitamin D, throughout the year. There is also a type of vitamin D called calcipotriol, which sounds similar to colecalciferol. Calcipotriol is used to treat the skin condition caused by plaque psoriasis. Key facts

Long-term vitamin D deficiency can cause bone loss, muscle weakness, falls and fractures in older people. To maintain your vitamin D levels or prevent deficiency you'll usually take colecalciferol long term. Those most at risk from low levels of calcium include - Post-menopausal people, people of childbearing age with amenorrhea, people who do not consume dairy products, such as vegans or ovo -vegetarians, people with lactose intolerance who avoid dairy, Long-term deficiency in calcium or vitamin D can result in osteoporosis, where the bones become more fragile and prone to breaking. Lower doses of colecalciferol are usually taken to maintain your vitamin D levels or prevent you from getting vitamin D deficiency. Dosage and strength The health benefits of taking vitamin D are well known and something we all have the potential to get something from. Low vitamin D is linked to osteoporosis when it’s severe and depression, low mood and muscle cramps when you’re consistently below the ideal levels.

If your vitamin D levels are OK, or you want to prevent deficiency, you can buy lower dose colecalciferol from pharmacies and shops. Vitamin D deficiency is something of a global problem. It's estimated that around a billion people worldwide suffer from it. With serious health risks associated, it’s important to be aware that it’s a problem that affects your muscles, teeth and bones, not to mention mood and energy levels. If you've had a loading dose but need to maintain your vitamin D levels, your doctor may prescribe a maintenance dose of 800IU to 2,000IU a day. Lower colecalciferol doses Colecalciferol is also available in lower doses. You can take 400IU a day if you're an adult maintaining your vitamin D levels. Doses for children If you or your child's vitamin D levels are OK, your doctor may recommend safely increasing your exposure to sunlight and adding more foods that are high in vitamin D to your diet.

Colecalciferol and breastfeeding

Drop 1 tablet into a glass of water and as soon as it dissolves drink straight away. Do not chew or swallow the tablets whole. How long to take it for

To find out if you have low vitamin D levels, your doctor will give you a blood test. If your levels are severely low, they may prescribe a loading dose course of vitamin D. This is a high strength dose that is only available on prescription. If you're using colecalciferol drops, you can either drop them straight into your mouth or onto a spoon before you take it. Colecalciferol dissolvable tablets If you have severe vitamin D deficiency, your doctor may prescribe a loading dose of up to 300,000IU. This can be taken as: Your child's doctor may recommend changes to your child's diet to improve their vitamin D levels. If changes to their diet still do not provide enough vitamin D then the doctor may prescribe a maintenance dose of 400IU to 600IU for them to take daily long term. Prevention doses for childrenIf you're unsure how to take colecalciferol, ask your doctor or your pharmacist. Take your medicine exactly as they advise you to. Capsules and tablets If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm or make a note in your diary to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine. If you take too much If you forget to take your daily or weekly dose of colecalciferol, take it as soon as you remember, unless it's nearly time for your next dose. In this case, leave out the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. It is recommended that you take vitamin D if you have a deficiency, or to prevent a deficiency if you: Colecalciferol doses are measured in international units (IU). 1 microgram of vitamin D is the same as 40IU. Adult loading doses