What is the most important information I should know about cholecalciferol and folic acid?
You should not take this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your body, or any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).
What is cholecalciferol and folic acid?
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 several types of birth defects when taken by pregnant women.
Cholecalciferol and folic acid is a combination medicine used in people who do not get enough of these vitamins in their diets to maintain adequate health.
Cholecalciferol and folic acid may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cholecalciferol and folic acid?
You should not use this medicine 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 in combination with other medications to treat pernicious anemia. However, cholecalciferol and folic acid 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.
To make sure cholecalciferol and folic acid is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- vitamin B12 deficiency (pernicious anemia);
- heart disease;
- kidney disease; or
- a thyroid disorder.
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 cholecalciferol.
Cholecalciferol 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 cholecalciferol and folic acid to a child without medical advice. Your child's dose will depend on age, weight, diet, and other factors.
How should I take cholecalciferol and folic acid?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Use only the recommended dose of cholecalciferol and folic acid. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Cholecalciferol and folic acid may be only part of a complete program of treatment 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 make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Your cholecalciferol and folic acid dose may need to be adjusted as you make changes to your diet.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
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.
What should I avoid while taking cholecalciferol and folic acid?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any multivitamins, mineral supplements, or antacids while you are taking cholecalciferol and folic acid.
What are the possible side effects of cholecalciferol and folic acid?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:
- nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite;
- weakness; or
- increased urination.
Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none 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.
What other drugs will affect cholecalciferol and folic acid?
Certain medications can make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin D. If you take other medications, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take cholecalciferol and folic acid.
Other drugs may interact with cholecalciferol and folic acid, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about cholecalciferol and folic acid.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
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