ergocalciferol
Ergocalciferol is a provitamin d2 compound used to treat Hypoparathyroidism, Rickets, Hypophosphatemia.
Provitamin D2 Compound · by Sun Pharm Inds Inc
Generic of Drisdol
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Ergocalciferol
- Drug class
- Provitamin D2 Compound
- Form
- Capsule
- Strength
- Ergocalciferol 50,000 IU
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Generic
- May treat
- hypoparathyroidism, rickets, hypophosphatemia
- Manufacturer
- Sun Pharm Inds Inc
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$3.48 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- ANDA040865
- Availability
- Discontinued (per FDA)
What is Ergocalciferol?
From the FDA label:Ergocalciferol capsules, USP, is a synthetic calcium regulator for oral administration. Ergocalciferol is a white, colorless crystal, insoluble in water, soluble in organic solvents, and slightly soluble in vegetable oils. It is affected by air and by light. Ergosterol or provitamin D 2 is found in plants and yeast and has no antirachitic activity. There are more than 10 substances belonging to a group of steroid compounds, classified as having vitamin D or antirachitic activity. One USP unit of vitamin D 2 is equivalent to one International Unit (IU), and 1 mcg of vitamin D 2 is equal to 40 IU. Each capsule contains 1.25 mg (50,000 International Units vitamin D) of ergocalciferol, USP, in an edible vegetable oil. Ergocalciferol, also called vitamin D 2 , is 9, 10-secoergosta-5,7,10 (19), 22-tetraen-3-ol, (3ß,5Z,7E,22 E )-; (C 28 H 44 O) with a molecular weight of 396.65, and has the following structural formula: Inactive Ingredients: Butylated Hydroxylanisole, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Yellow #5, Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water, Soybean Oil. ergocalciferol1
How to use
Vitamin D Resistant Rickets: 12,000 to 500,000 IU units daily. Hypoparathyroidism: 50,000 to 200,000 IU units daily concomitantly with calcium lactate 4 g, six times per day. DOSAGE MUST BE INDIVIDUALIZED UNDER CLOSE MEDICAL SUPERVISION. Calcium intake should be adequate. Blood calcium and phosphorus determinations must be made every 2 weeks or more frequently if necessary. X-rays of the bones should be taken every month until condition is corrected and stabilized.
Side effects
Hypervitaminosis D is characterized by effects on the following organ system: Renal: Impairment of renal function with polyuria, nocturia, polydipsia, hypercalciuria, reversible azotemia, hypertension, nephrocalcinosis, generalized vascular calcification, or irreversible renal insufficiency which may result in death. CNS: Mental retardation. Soft Tissues: Widespread calcification of the soft tissues, including the heart, blood vessels, renal tubules, and lungs. Skeletal: Bone demineralization (osteoporosis) in adults occurs concomitantly. Decline in the average rate of linear growth and increased mineralization of bones in infants and children (dwarfism) vague aches, stiffness, and weakness. Gastrointestinal: Nausea, anorexia, constipation. Metabolic: Mild acidosis, anemia, weight loss. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Torrent Pharma Inc. at 1-800-912-9561 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Warnings
Important safety information
Hypersensitivity to vitamin D may be one etiologic factor in infants with idiopathic hypercalcemia. In these cases vitamin D must be strictly restricted. Keep out of the reach of children.
Who should not take Ergocalciferol
Ergocalciferol is contraindicated in patients with hypercalcemia, malabsorption syndrome, abnormal sensitivity to the toxic effects of vitamin D, and hypervitaminosis D.
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
The effects of administered vitamin D can persist for two or more months after cessation of treatment. Hypervitaminosis D is characterized by: 1. Hypercalcemia with anorexia, nausea, weakness, weight loss, vague aches and stiffness, constipation, mental retardation, anemia, and mild acidosis. 2. Impairment of renal function with polyuria, nocturia, polydipsia, hypercalciuria, reversible azotemia, hypertension, nephrocalcinosis, generalized vascular calcification, or irreversible renal insufficiency which may result in death. 3. Widespread calcification of the soft tissues, including the heart, blood vessels, renal tubules, and lungs. Bone demineralization (osteoporosis) in adults occurs concomitantly. 4. Decline in the average rate of linear growth and increased mineralization of bones in infants and children (dwarfism). The treatment of hypervitaminosis D with hypercalcemia consists in immediate withdrawal of the vitamin, a low calcium diet, generous intake of fluids, along with symptomatic and supportive treatment. Hypercalcemic crisis with dehydration, stupor, coma, and azotemia requires more vigorous treatment. The first step should be hydration of the patient. Intravenous saline may quickly and significantly increase urinary calcium excretion. A loop diuretic (furosemide or ethacrynic acid) may be given with the saline infusion to further increase renal calcium excretion.…
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Mineral oil interferes with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamin D preparations. Administration of thiazide diuretics to hypoparathyroid patients who are concurrently being treated with ergocalciferol may cause hypercalcemia.
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
Dosage forms
Capsule
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Ergocalciferol treat?
- Ergocalciferol (Ergocalciferol) may be used to treat hypoparathyroidism, rickets, hypophosphatemia, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How much does Ergocalciferol cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $3.48 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Ergocalciferol?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Ergocalciferol. To pay less, Ergocalciferol is already a generic — usually the lowest-cost version — so the main levers are comparing cash prices between pharmacies and using a pharmacy discount-card service. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Ergocalciferol?
- Ergocalciferol is marketed by Sun Pharm Inds Inc. You can see Sun Pharm Inds Inc's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Ergocalciferol a brand-name or generic drug?
- Ergocalciferol is a generic medication; its active ingredient is Ergocalciferol. Generics contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name original and are usually lower cost.
- Is Ergocalciferol available over the counter?
- No. Ergocalciferol is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Ergocalciferol come in?
- Ergocalciferol is currently marketed as capsule, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Ergocalciferol?
- Ergocalciferol is classified as provitamin d2 compound, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Ergocalciferol FDA-registered?
- Ergocalciferol is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number ANDA040865. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Ergocalciferol safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Ergocalciferol. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Ergocalciferol?
- Ergocalciferol's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Hypervitaminosis D is characterized by effects on the following organ system: Renal: Impairment of renal function with polyuria, nocturia, polydipsia, hypercalciuria, reversible azotemia, hypertension, nephrocalcinosis, generalized vascular calcification,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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