Cholecalciferol

Properties of Cholecalciferol

Uses of Cholecalciferol

• Cholecalciferol is used to treat and prevent Vitamin D deficiency, a condition that can lead to weakened bones and impaired metabolic function.
• It plays a crucial role in calcium absorption in the intestines, which is essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones.
• It also helps manage conditions like familial hypophosphatemia, hypoparathyroidism with low blood calcium, and Fanconi syndrome.
• Cholecalciferol supports bone density and structural integrity in individuals with osteoporosis and osteomalacia, as well as in children with rickets. It also helps reduce the risk of fractures.
• It is used as a supplement during pregnancy to support bone development in the baby.
• It also promotes hair follicle health and may potentially help with hair loss conditions such as androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium.

Cholecalciferol vs calcitriol

• Cholecalciferol is the inactive, dietary form of Vitamin D3, synthesized in the skin via sunlight or obtained through supplements, while Calcitriol is the biologically active hormonal form (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) produced in the kidneys after two-step hydroxylation.
• Cholecalciferol is primarily used for nutritional supplementation and deficiency prevention, such as in vitamin D-deficient states, rickets, or osteomalacia, while Calcitriol, due to its active hormonal status, is used in advanced clinical conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypoparathyroidism, and severe calcium absorption disorders where endogenous activation is impaired.
• Cholecalciferol has a longer half-life and a slower onset of action, offering a safer and more gradual correction of vitamin D levels, whereas Calcitriol, which has a shorter half-life and stronger biological effects, requires precise dosing and frequent monitoring to avoid complications such as hypercalcemia or hyperphosphatemia.

Side effects of Cholecalciferol

Its common side effects include – 

• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Dry mouth or metallic taste
• Fatigue or weakness

Sometimes, there may be an allergic reaction like rash, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, dizziness, and breathing problems.

In a severe condition, it will lead to a rise in calcium levels in the urine (Hypercalciuria) and blood (Hypercalcemia), kidney dysfunction, and cardiac arrhythmias.