Vigantol® (colecalciferol)

Vigantol® is a vitamin D3 preparation (colecalciferol) in drop form (oil solution) used to prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency disorders. The drop form allows particularly flexible dosing.

Vigantol® oil contains 20,000 IU per milliliter (40 drops). It is suitable both for rickets prevention in infants and for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency in adults.

At higher doses (for the treatment of severe deficiency), Vigantol® is prescription-only.

Mechanism of action: Identical to Dekristol®:

• Colecalciferol is converted in the liver to 25-OH vitamin D
• In the kidney, it is activated to active 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D (calcitriol)
• Calcitriol regulates calcium/phosphate metabolism

Advantages of the drop form:

• Very flexible dosing (accurate to the drop)
• Can be mixed into food or drinks
• Particularly suitable for patients with difficulty swallowing
• The oil solution improves fat-based absorption
• Doses from a few hundred up to several thousand IU are possible

Bioavailability: As an oil solution, vitamin D3 is well absorbed. Absorption does not depend on a fatty meal, as the oil acts as a carrier.

Vigantol® is suitable for:

• Adults with confirmed vitamin D deficiency
• Infants for rickets prevention (1 drop = 500 IU)
• Older patients with difficulty swallowing
• Patients who need individualized dosing
• Osteoporosis prevention (as an adjunct)

Not suitable for:

• Hypercalcemia
• Hypercalciuria
• Nephrolithiasis (calcium stones)
• Sarcoidosis, tuberculosis

Vigantol® oil concentration:

• 1 drop = approx. 500 IU (approx. 0.0125 mg colecalciferol)
• 1 ml = 20,000 IU (approx. 40 drops, 0.5 mg colecalciferol)

Rickets prevention in infants:

• 1 drop (500 IU) daily

Adults – maintenance therapy:

• 1–3 drops (500–1,500 IU) daily

Adults – loading in deficiency:

• Individual dosing as directed by the doctor
• Commonly: 5–7 drops (approx. 2,500–3,500 IU) daily for 8–12 weeks

Monitoring:

• Check 25-OH vitamin D levels after 8–12 weeks

How to take:

• Place the drops directly on a spoon or mix them into food/drink
• Can be taken at any time of day
• Oil solution – well absorbed regardless of meals

Important notes:

• Hold the bottle vertically to get a uniform drop size
• Do not take high doses without confirmed deficiency
• Blood level monitoring with therapeutic dosing
• Keep your calcium intake in mind

Vigantol® must not be taken in cases of:

• Hypercalcemia
• Hypercalciuria
• Nephrolithiasis
• Vitamin D overdose/hypervitaminosis
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance

Caution in cases of:

• Sarcoidosis, granulomatous diseases
• Renal insufficiency
• Thiazide diuretics (increase calcium)
• Cardiac glycoside therapy
• Immobilization

With correct dosing: Side effects are very rare and occur practically only with overdose.

With chronic overdose:

• Hypercalcemia: nausea, vomiting, thirst, polyuria
• Constipation, loss of appetite
• Fatigue, headache
• Kidney calcification
• Kidney stones

Very rare:

• Allergic reactions to excipients

Note: Vitamin D3 (colecalciferol) has only a relatively narrow therapeutic range; overdoses are possible. Take Vigantol® only at the dose set by your doctor and under medical supervision.

Caution with:

• Thiazide diuretics (water pills) – the calcium level in the blood may rise; monitoring is advisable
• Digitalis preparations (cardiac glycosides) – an elevated calcium level can increase their effect and side effects
• Antiepileptic drugs such as phenytoin or phenobarbital, as well as rifampicin – vitamin D is broken down faster, so requirements may increase
• Orlistat and colestyramine – they reduce the absorption of vitamin D from the intestine, so take them at a different time

Important: Only take additional vitamin D-containing preparations or calcium supplements after consultation, so that an overdose does not occur.