Calciferol (vit. D2)Ergocalciferol Uses, Side Effects, and More

 Calciferol (vit D2)Ergocalciferol

Brand name:- calciferol, Ergocalciferol, vit D2 .

Calciferol (ergocalciferol) is vitamin D2 used to treat hypoparathyroidism (decreased functioning of the parathyroid glands), and is also used to treat rickets (softening of the bones caused by vitamin D deficiency) or low levels of phosphate in the blood (hypophosphatemia). Calciferol is available in generic form.

Pharmacodynamic:- 

After the activation of the vitamin D receptor, some of the biological changes produced by ergocalciferol include mobilization and accretion of calcium and phosphorus in the bone, absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestine, and reabsorption of calcium and phosphorus in the kidney.

Some other effects known to be produced due to the presence of vitamin D are osteoblast formation, fetus development, induction of pancreatic function, induction of neural function, improvement of immune function, cellular growth and cellular differentiation.

When compared to its vitamin D counterpart cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol has been shown to present a reduced induction of calcidiol and hence, it is less potent.

Ergocalciferol supplementation in patients with end-stage renal disease has been shown to generate a significant benefit in lab parameters of bone and mineral metabolism as well as improvement in glycemic control, serum albumin levels and reduced levels of inflammatory markers.

Mechanism of action:- 

For its activity, ergocalciferol is required to be transformed to its major active circulating hydroxylated metabolite and transported to the target organs in order to bind to its target, the vitamin D receptor.

For its activity, ergocalciferol is required to be transformed to its major active circulating hydroxylated metabolite and transported to the target organs in order to bind to its target, the vitamin D receptor.

The activation of the vitamin D receptor is part of the vitamin D endocrine system and it is described by the production of a change in the transcription rates of the vitamin D receptor target genes.7 The target genes in the DNA affected by the presence of ergocalciferol are called vitamin D response elements which are dependent on co-modulators.

The vitamin D receptor is a transcription factor and member of the steroid hormone nuclear receptor family. It presents a DNA binding domain (VDRE) that, when activated, recruits coregulatory complexes to regulate the genomic activity.

Additionally, ergocalciferol presents nongenomic effects such as the stimulation of intestinal calcium transport via transcaltachia.

used:- 

• Calciferol is vitamin D2. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.

• Calciferol is used to treat hypoparathyroidism (decreased functioning of the parathyroid glands).

• Calciferol is also used to treat rickets (softening of the bones caused by vitamin D deficiency) or low levels of phosphate in the blood (hypophosphatemia).

side effects:-  

Vitamin D at normal doses usually has no side effects.

:- Contact your doctor if you have any serious side effects of Calciferol, including:

• Thinking problems,

• Changes in behavior,

• Irritability,

• Urinating more than usual,

• Chest pain,

• Shortness of breath, or

• Early signs of vitamin D overdose (weakness, metallic taste in your mouth, weight loss, muscle or bone pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting

Dose:- 

To treat Vitamin D resistant rickets the dose of Calciferol is 12,000 to 500,000 USP units daily. To treat hypoparathyroidism, the dose is 50,000 to 200,000 USP units daily taken with calcium lactate 4 g, six times per day. The range between therapeutic and toxic doses is narrow. Dosage must be individualized under close medical supervision.