Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes calcium absorption, regulates bone growth, and facilitates immunological functions. In the Vitamin D family, Vitamin D2 and Vitamin D3 are most commonly found in your diet. While both types help you reach your daily Vitamin D requirements, they differ in several ways. Vitamin D2 mainly comes from plant sources and fortified foods, while Vitamin D3 is only found in animal sources. Research also suggests that Vitamin D2 is less easily absorbed by the body than Vitamin D3.
Your body cannot get adequate amounts of Vitamin D from diet alone. Instead, your skin produces most of the Vitamin D your body requires when exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D deficiency is usually observed in people with limited sunlight exposure or with a diet that is deficient in Vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can be prevented and reversed by taking oral supplements of ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) or cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) on a daily basis for months.
Vitamin D2 is available as oral preparations.
If you are using it for the prevention of Vitamin D deficiency, you can take 400 units daily.
If you are using it for the treatment of Vitamin D deficiency, you can take 800 units daily. For severe deficiency, higher doses may be required.
Common dosing schedule:
This schedule is for reference only, adjustments may be made according to individual needs.
Some common medications Vitamin D2 may interact with:
Please notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking the above medication, dosage adjustments might be needed.
In Hong Kong, Vitamin D2 is an over-the-counter medicine and can be purchased without a prescription from any retail outlet in Hong Kong. This includes grocery stores, convenience stores, medicine shops, and pharmacies. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
Need more information?
For detailed information about the use of Vitamin D2 in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.
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