{"id":7871,"date":"2020-01-24T09:00:35","date_gmt":"2020-01-24T14:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=7871"},"modified":"2025-02-27T13:18:17","modified_gmt":"2025-02-27T18:18:17","slug":"vitamin-d-prescription","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/vitamin-d-prescription\/","title":{"rendered":"When would I need a prescription for vitamin D?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Zb_tJuORr3Y?rel=0\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s that time of year when much of the United States experiences dreary weather and less time in the sun. When it comes to your health, many people tend to associate the winter months with the flu or the common cold. But there is an important nutrient that many of us are missing out on, especially in the wintertime, and it plays a big role in your bone health: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vitamin-d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vitamin D<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, also known as the sunshine vitamin.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-vitamin-d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is vitamin D?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cVitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is needed for calcium to be absorbed into your bones,\u201d says <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inna Lukyanovsky, Pharm.D<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">., functional medicine practitioner and the author of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Crohn&#8217;s and Colitis Fix<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chirag Shah, MD<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, co-founder of Push Health, elaborates on its important role: \u201cVitamin D is a type of molecule known as a secosteroid. Vitamin D is biologically active in the body and helps increase the absorption of electrolytes, including calcium and magnesium, from the gastrointestinal tract.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, your bones can\u2019t <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/VitaminD-HealthProfessional\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">absorb calcium without vitamin D<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. That\u2019s why most cow\u2019s milk sold in U.S. grocery stores is fortified with vitamin D. No matter how much of that great calcium you get from foods, your bones will be soft and brittle unless you also take in enough vitamin D to process it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"where-do-we-get-vitamin-d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Where do we get vitamin D?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cVitamin D is obtained from few food sources in any significant quantity (liver, wild caught salmon, and minimal amounts in fortified milk),\u201d says <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vousvitamin.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arielle Levitan, MD<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, co-founder of Vous Vitamin LLC and author of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Vitamin Solution<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cIt can be obtained from exposure to the sun (think lying out with no clothes on or sunscreen).\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But a lot of people don\u2019t get enough vitamin D from food or sun exposure. If that\u2019s the case, they might need to take a vitamin D supplement. Sometimes people can get what they need from an over-the-counter (OTC) supplement, but many people need a prescription from their doctor. You can find generic vitamin D supplements in pharmacies and drugstores as well as brand-name supplements such as Drisdol and Calciferol.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The truth is, it\u2019s almost impossible to get the sun exposure you need these days in order to produce enough vitamin D, at least not without causing yourself some other significant health problems. The air has pollutants and smog which aren\u2019t good for you to be exposed to for long periods of time. Yet we know that sun exposure through a window doesn\u2019t have the same effect for helping to produce vitamin D. Extended, unprotected sun exposure also significantly increases your skin cancer risk. To protect you from that, we recommend consistent sunscreen use, yet that also will stop the production of vitamin D. Clearly, you will need to be intentional about utilizing your diet and supplements to ensure you are getting healthy amounts of vitamin D.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-prescription-strength-vitamin-d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is prescription-strength vitamin D?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve been talking a lot about vitamin D prescriptions. But the truth is, many doctors \u201cprescribe\u201d their patients to take over-the-counter vitamin D supplements. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/d3-high-potency\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher doses<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of OTC supplements are available in 400 IU, 800 IU, 1000 IU, 2000 IU, 5000 IU, and 10,000 IU tablets and liquid drops.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"dosage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dosage<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prescription strength vitamin D contains a high dose of 50,000 IU. But our experts say that this dose is not necessary for everyone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe best way to take vitamin D is via a daily year-round dose through a personalized vitamin regimen,\u201d says Dr. Levitan. \u201cThe amount each individual needs varies based on who you are, where you live, ethnicity, medical issues and more. There are \u2018mega dose\u2019 prescription products of D3, which can be taken weekly in tablet form. However, these are rarely needed other than in extreme cases and in people with GI absorption issues (I.e., Crohn&#8217;s disease). Ultimately most people can maintain a normal vitamin D level with a daily dose between 800 and 2000 IU daily. This can be taken in tablet, capsule, or drop forms. The best way to get exactly what you need is to take a doctor-created custom regimen to meet your exact vitamin needs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loading doses or bolus dosing with high-dose, once weekly prescription products may be necessary for patients who are already vitamin D deficient or inadequate. Your provider may have you do prescription dosing for up to 12 weeks to get your levels up, and then allow you to continue on daily OTC dosing thereafter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-much-vitamin-d-should-i-take\/\"><b>How much vitamin D should I take?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"why-would-a-doctor-prescribe-vitamin-d\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why would a doctor prescribe vitamin D?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin D prescriptions might be on the rise. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5583252\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> found that testing for vitamin D deficiencies and subsequent prescriptions of the fat-soluble vitamin increased more than seven-fold between 2008 and 2013. Why the huge increase? Researchers believe that it was due to a global increase in awareness of patients who are vitamin D deficient, rather than an actual increase in need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So why would a doctor prescribe vitamin D supplementation? There are several medical conditions that may cause a lack of vitamin D.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>RELATED: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/vitamin-d-benefits-for-men\/\"><b>Vitamin D benefits for men<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"hypoparathyroidism\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hypoparathyroidism<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cVitamin D is commonly prescribed for hypoparathyroidism [a condition which causes calcium deficiency, muscle cramps and spasms, weakness, and fatigue],\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/digestivereset.com\">Dr. Lukyanovsky<\/a>. \u201cDoctors might also prescribe it for osteomalacia, a condition where there&#8217;s a depletion of calcium from the bone.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"hypocalcemia\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hypocalcemia<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are other health conditions that might necessitate a vitamin D prescription. For example, hypocalcemia is a condition that is marked by insufficient calcium in the blood. Doctors treat it with specific types of vitamin D called alfacalcidol, calcifediol, calcitriol, and dihydrotachysterol. Alfacalcidol, calcifediol, and calcitriol are also prescribed for the treatment of certain types of bone disease that are common in kidney dialysis patients.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"cystic-fibrosis\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cystic fibrosis<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cystic fibrosis is an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/9358-cystic-fibrosis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inherited condition<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that causes a buildup of thick mucus in your internal organs that can block the pancreas, interfering with the digestion of food. That means you might not <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/15050-vitamin-d-vitamin-d-deficiency\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">absorb enough nutrients<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from your intestines, including vitamin D.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"crohn-s-and-celiac-diseases\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crohn&#8217;s and celiac diseases<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crohn&#8217;s is an inflammatory <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/9357-crohns-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">digestive disorder<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (BD) that causes swelling and discomfort in the digestive tract and can cause diarrhea. Celiac disease is an immune system <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/14240-celiac-disease\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">disorder <\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">that can damage the small intestine. Both conditions can cause diarrhea, potentially interfering with the absorption of vitamin D from food or supplements.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"obesity\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obesity<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6780345\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">research,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> obesity (having a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/11209-weight-control-and-obesity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BMI over 30<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), is linked to low vitamin D levels due to its decreased bioavailability (nutrient absorption).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"kidney-or-liver-disease\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kidney or liver disease<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30816821\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> indicates that there is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among individuals with kidney or liver disease<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That\u2019s because these conditions cause a reduction in enzymes\u2013from the liver, hepatic enzyme 25\u2013hydroxylase, and from the kidneys, 1-alpha-hydroxylase\u2013your body needs to convert vitamin D into a form that it is able to use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"vitamin-d-deficiency\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin D deficiency<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All of our medical experts tell us that one of the most common reasons for prescribing vitamin D is a deficiency of it. If a patient is experiencing <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/vitaminddeficiency.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">symptoms of vitamin D deficiency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as bone loss, hair loss, bone and back pain, and difficulty healing from wounds, their healthcare provider will most likely order a blood test to confirm vitamin D deficiency.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When your provider orders a blood test for vitamin D, they are actually looking for the hydroxylated form that has already passed through your liver known as 25(OH)D. This is the best indicator of your actual vitamin D status in your body. Blood levels of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/VitaminD-HealthProfessional\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">20 nanograms\/milliliter to 50 ng\/mL of 25(OH)D (vitamin D) is considered within normal range<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for healthy people. If the lab results show a low vitamin D level that\u2019s below 12 ng\/mL, that indicates a vitamin D deficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/vitaminddeficiency.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin D deficiency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is very serious. If the amount of vitamin D in the blood is too low, it can cause a condition called Rickets in children. Rickets is a rare disease. It causes children\u2019s bones to become soft and bend, sometimes forming \u201cbowlegs.\u201d African American children are at highest risk of getting rickets. Adults can also suffer medical consequences from not enough vitamin D, including the bone disease osteomalacia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some doctors think vitamin D could be connected to more medical conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, and multiple sclerosis. Researchers are studying potential links, but more research is needed before we can truly understand the relationship between vitamin D and these conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h4 id=\"am-i-at-risk-for-vitamin-d-deficiency\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Am I at risk for vitamin D deficiency?<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/vitaminddeficiency.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">some people who are particularly vulnerable to vitamin D deficiency<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and they might need to take over-the-counter or prescription supplements even without symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Breastfed infants:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Vitamin D is not present in significant amounts in human breast milk, and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against exposing infants to direct sunlight without sunscreen. This means these babies are at risk of a vitamin D deficiency, and possibly Rickets. They should take a dietary supplement of 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Older adults:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> In old age, the skin is less able to produce vitamin D from the sun.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Pregnant women: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During pregnancy, some women are at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Taking a daily vitamin D supplement of 4,000 IU during pregnancy might reduce the risk of gestational diabetes and early labor.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>People who are obese:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Their body fat can bind to some vitamin D and prevent it from getting to the blood.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>People who have had gastric bypass surgery.<\/b><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>People with <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/osteoporosis-treatment-and-medications\/\"><b>osteoporosis<\/b><\/a><b>, kidney disease, or liver disease<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>People with dark skin:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The higher amounts of skin pigmentation make it more difficult to produce vitamin D from UV light.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>People with Crohn&#8217;s disease or celiac disease:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These disorders cause the body to have difficulty handling fat, which is needed in order to absorb this fat-soluble vitamin.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>People with hyperparathyroidism:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This means that their bodies have too much of the parathyroid hormone, which controls the body&#8217;s calcium level.<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>People who take certain medicines:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Some medications, such as cholestyramine, anti-seizure drugs, glucocorticoids, HIV\/AIDS medications, and antifungal drugs, can affect your body\u2019s metabolism of vitamin D.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"vitamin-d2-vs-d3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin D2 vs. D3<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Did you know that vitamin D actually comes in multiple forms? The two most important forms of vitamin D for your health are <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vitamin-d2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vitamin-d3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">D3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cVitamin D2 is known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/ergocalciferol\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ergocalciferol<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> while vitamin D3 is known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/cholecalciferol\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cholecalciferol<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d says <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pushhealth.com\/\">Dr. Shah<\/a>. \u201cVitamin D2 typically originates from plant-based sources while vitamin D3 is generally found in animal sources.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And we\u2019re not just talking about food here. Remember, humans are animals, too. So the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/vitamin-d-vs-d3\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">vitamin D that your skin absorbs from the sun<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the D3 form.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Levitan says that people who need vitamin D supplements should take D3. This is the most active form of vitamin D in your body, as the liver converts D2 to D3. Though most people can easily metabolize D2 as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vitamin-d2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin D2 coupons<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a class=\"cta-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/vitamin-d3\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin D3 coupons<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"vitamin-d-side-effects-and-interactions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vitamin D side effects and interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Dr. Lukyanovsky, the following are potential <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/vitamin-d-side-effects\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects of vitamin D supplements<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bone pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Muscle weakness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nausea, vomiting, or constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Extreme thirst<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent urination<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kidney stones<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Confusion or disorientation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight loss or poor appetite<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These side effects typically only occur when vitamin D levels are too high or too much vitamin D supplementation is occurring. It would be almost impossible to produce enough vitamin D from sun exposure alone to cause these side effects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Lukyanovsky explains that vitamin D supplements can also negatively interact with certain medications, so talk to your doctor before taking them if you are also taking any of these drugs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes medicines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Blood pressure medicines<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calcium supplements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Antacids<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/medications-vitamin-interactions\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corticosteroids<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, such as prednisone<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weight-loss medicines, including Alli (orlistat)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Questran, LoCholest, or Prevalite (cholestyramine)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seizure medicines, including phenobarbital and Dilantin (phenytoin)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s possible to consume too much vitamin D. If your daily intake of vitamin D far exceeds the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) can lead to vitamin D toxicity, which causes buildup of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia), nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, kidney stones and even kidney failure have been reported. This is why it is important to not just blindly supplement vitamin D. Speak to your healthcare provider first.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with any medications, you should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you take a vitamin D supplement, even if it\u2019s over the counter. Not only is it possible for the supplements to interact with other medications you are taking, or affect conditions you might have, but you need to know the right dose of vitamin D for you, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s that time of year when much of the United States experiences dreary weather and less time in the sun. When it comes to your health, many people tend to associate the winter months with the flu or the common cold. But there is an important nutrient that many of us are missing out on, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":85,"featured_media":55945,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4589],"tags":[8905,11278,812],"coauthors":[8859],"class_list":["post-7871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drug-info","tag-seasonal","tag-singlecare-for-seniors","tag-supplements","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Why would I need a vitamin D prescription?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Prescription vitamin D can treat health conditions like hypoparathyroidism and osteomalacia. 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