Product description written by Dr. Eva Y. Pan, PharmD (March 1, 2021)

What is Vitamin D2?

Vitamin D2 is one of the main forms of Vitamin D. Vitamin D2 is also known as ergocalciferol. Patients/caregivers can buy vitamin D2 online at NorthWestPharmacy.com.

What is Vitamin D2 used for?

Vitamin D2 is used to help the body absorb calcium, which is important for bone health and muscle contractions. Vitamin D2 is also used to treat hypoparathyroidism (a condition in which the parathyroid glands are underactive), rickets (bone softening from vitamin D2 deficiency), and low phosphate levels in the blood.

What are the side effects of Vitamin D2?

Allergic reactions
Bone pain
Seizures
Fatigue
Dry mouth
Stomach upset
Irregular heartbeat
Increased urination
Headache

What you should know before using Vitamin D2

Vitamin D is normally produced by the skin when it is exposed to sunlight. Other sources of vitamin D include foods and supplements. The main forms of vitamin D are vitamin D2 and D3 and both forms have to be converted in the body to active vitamin D. Vitamin D2 can be found in fortified breakfast cereals, yogurt, and mushrooms. Vitamin D deficiency can occur in people who don't get adequate sunlight, have vegan diets, have darker skin color, or are older. Certain medications can also cause vitamin D2 deficiency, such as cholestyramine, phenobarbital, rifampin, steroids, or laxatives.

Possible symptoms of vitamin D2 deficiency include muscle cramps, bone loss, bone pain, and fatigue. Vitamin D2 deficiency can lead to weak bones, fractures, parathyroid gland issues, and other medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or multiple sclerosis. The amount of vitamin D2 that the body needs depends on age, with older people (>70) requiring more vitamin D2 than younger people. Vitamin D2 deficiency can be detected by measuring levels of vitamin D in the blood. Vitamin D2 deficiency can be treated with vitamin D supplements to reach an appropriate level of vitamin D in the body. It is best to take vitamin D2 after a meal, but it can be taken with or without food. Vitamin D2 should be taken separately from other medications by at least 2 hours. Patients with high levels of vitamin D or calcium in their blood should not take vitamin D2 supplementation.

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FAQs:

What is the difference between Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3?

Vitamin D2 is ergocalciferol, while vitamin D3 is cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2 is less potent and works for a shorter amount of time compared to vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 comes from plant sources, whereas vitamin D3 comes from animal sources. Vitamin D2 is used to treat rickets, hypoparathyroidism, or hypophosphatemia (low phosphate levels) and vitamin D3 is used more as a dietary supplement. Vitamin D2 also requires a prescription, whereas vitamin D3 does not. Both vitamin D2 and D3 can effectively boost vitamin D levels in the blood. Vitamin D2 and D3 have similar side effects.
Why do doctors prescribe Vitamin D2 instead of D3?

Doctors prescribe vitamin D2 because it is approved in some jurisdictions for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism, rickets, hypophosphatemia, and dietary supplementation. Patients/caregivers can buy vitamin D2 online at NorthWestPharmacy.com to treat vitamin D2 deficiency or for supplementation.

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