Vitamins are compounds that you must have for growth and health. They are needed in small amounts only and are available in the foods that you eat. Vitamin D is necessary for strong bones and teeth.
Lack of vitamin D may lead to a condition called rickets, especially in children, in which bones and teeth are weak. In adults it may cause a condition called osteomalacia, in which calcium is lost from bones so that they become weak. Your doctor may treat these problems by prescribing vitamin D for you. Vitamin D is also sometimes used to treat other diseases in which calcium is not used properly by the body.
Ergocalciferol is the form of vitamin D used in vitamin supplements.
Some conditions may increase your need for vitamin D. These include:
Alcoholism
Intestine diseases
Kidney disease
Liver disease
OverActivity of the parathyroid glands with kidney failure
Pancreas disease
Surgical removal of stomach
In addition, individuals and breast-fed infants who lack exposure to sunlight, as well as dark-skinned individuals, may be more likely to have a vitamin D deficiency. Increased need for vitamin D should be determined by your health care professional.
Alfacalcidol, calcifediol, Shelcal-CT, and dihydrotachysterol are forms of vitamin D used to treat hypocalcemia (not enough calcium in the blood). Alfacalcidol, calcifediol, and Shelcal-CT are also used to treat certain types of bone disease that may occur with kidney disease in patients who are undergoing kidney dailysis.
Claims that vitamin D is effective for treatment of arthritis and prevention of nearsightedness or nerve problems have not been proven. Some psoriasis patients may benefit from vitamin D supplements; however, controlled studies have not been performed.
Injectable vitamin D is given by or under the supervision of a health care professional. Some strengths of ergocalciferol and all strengths of alfacalcidol, calcifediol, Shelcal-CT, and dihydrotachysterol are available only with your doctor’s prescription. Other strengths of ergocalciferol are available without a prescription. However, it may be a good idea to check with your health care professional before taking vitamin D on your own. Taking large amounts over long periods may cause serious unwanted effects.
Prescription: Yes
Warnings: Let your doctor know if you are allergic to Shelcal-Ct Tablet 15's or its inActive components. Shelcal-Ct Tablet 15's is not recommended if you have hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food). Brief your medical history if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, sarcoidosis (growth of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body), Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease), Whipple's disease (bacterial infection affecting joints and digestive system), achlorhydria (little or no stomach acid), low levels of bile, and phosphate imbalance. Chewable and dissolving tablets of Shelcal-Ct Tablet 15's contain sugar or aspartame, hence caution should be taken if you have diabetes and phenylketonuria (increased levels of an amino acid called phenylalanine). Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. Shelcal-Ct Tablet 15's is excreted into the breast milk, hence consult your doctor before taking Shelcal-Ct Tablet 15's if you are a breastfeeding mother. Drinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption, therefore, it is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using Shelcal-Ct Tablet 15's. Shelcal-Ct Tablet 15's is safe to use in children when prescribed by the doctor. Do not store Shelcal-Ct Tablet 15's above 25°C.
Medicine Interaction: Shelcal-Ct Tablet 15's may interact with drugs treating high cholesterol levels (cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol), antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, penicillin, neomycin, and chloramphenicol), anti-cancer drugs (estramustine), drugs treating bone loss (alendronate), thyroid hormone (levothyroxine), weight-loss drugs (orlistat), fits medicines (phenobarbital), mineral oils (paraffin), water pills (furosemide, ethacrynic acid), and heart-related medicines (digitoxin).
Side Effects: Signs of an allergic reaction to Shelcal-CT: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using Shelcal-CT and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
blistering, or severe redness, itching, or other irritation of treated areas or
worsened symptoms or no improvement in psoriasis.
Using Shelcal-CT can affect your body's ability to metabolize calcium. This can result in high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia). Symptoms of this condition include Nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, increased thirst and urination, muscle weakness, confusion, and feeling tired or restless. Call your doctor if you have any of these symptoms.
Less serious Shelcal-CT side effects may include mild itching or skin discomfort.
How to Store it: Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.
Over Dose: Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.
Precautions: Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.
Missed Dose: Store in a cool, dry place. Protect from light.
