Calcirol 60K: Uses, How It Works, Side Effects
Also known as: Calcirol, Calcirol 60000, Calcirol 60,000 IU, Calcirol sachet, Cholecalciferol 60000 IU
Calcirol 60K contains 60,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in one sachet. It is used on a doctor's advice to treat vitamin D deficiency, which can weaken bones. This is a very high strength taken at intervals set by a doctor, not a daily supplement. Taking more than advised can raise blood calcium and harm the kidneys.
- Active ingredient
- Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) 60,000 IU
- Type of medicine
- Vitamins and minerals
- Used for
- Vitamin deficiency
- Starts working in
- Vitamin D levels in the blood rise over days to weeks; a doctor may repeat a blood test to check
- Effect lasts
- Taken on the schedule your doctor sets; this is not a daily product
- With or without food
- Follow the label or your doctor's advice; vitamin D is usually taken with a meal that contains some fat
- Alcohol
- No special interaction is known, but ask your doctor
- Pregnancy
- Ask your doctor first; high-strength vitamin D should be taken in pregnancy only on a doctor's advice
- Habit-forming
- No
- Made by
- VERIFY on pack
Pharmacist review in progress. This page is based on the sources listed below and is being checked by our registered pharmacist.
On this page
- What is Calcirol 60K used for?
- How does Calcirol 60K work?
- How to take Calcirol 60K
- Side effects of Calcirol 60K
- Who should be careful
- Medicines and things that interact with Calcirol 60K
- If someone takes too much
- Storage
- Regulatory status in India
- Other brands with the same medicine
- Other strengths and forms
- Common questions
What is Calcirol 60K used for?
Calcirol 60K is a high-strength vitamin D3 product. It is used, on a doctor's advice, to treat vitamin D deficiency.
- Treating vitamin D deficiency, which can cause rickets in children and bone pain and weakness (osteomalacia) in adults
How does Calcirol 60K work?
Vitamin D3 is changed by the liver and kidneys into its active form. This helps the gut absorb calcium and phosphate from food, which the body uses to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A high-strength dose builds up the body's stores.
What happens in your body after you take it
You take the sachet
The contents are taken by mouth as your doctor or the pack directs.
Vitamin D3 is absorbed
Vitamin D3 is taken up in the gut and carried in the blood, and some is stored in body fat.
The liver and kidneys activate it
The body converts vitamin D3 in two steps into its active form.
It helps absorb calcium
Active vitamin D helps the gut take up calcium and phosphate, which bones, teeth and muscles need.
Stores last for weeks
Because the body stores vitamin D, a single high-strength dose can act for a long time, which is why doctors space these doses out and why extra doses can build up to harmful levels.
How to take Calcirol 60K
Take Calcirol 60K exactly as your doctor has prescribed or as printed on the pack. Your doctor decides how often and for how long. Follow the label or your doctor's advice.
- One sachet is a very high amount compared with a daily vitamin D supplement. Do not take it daily or extra unless your doctor has told you to.
- Your doctor sets the schedule and the length of the course, and may repeat a blood test.
- If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do rather than doubling up.
- Count all other vitamin D and calcium products you take, including multivitamins.
- Do not share this product; the right schedule depends on the person.
Side effects of Calcirol 60K
Most people take vitamin D at the advised schedule without problems. Problems mainly come from taking too much, which can raise calcium in the blood.
Uncommon or mild
- Nausea or an upset stomach
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
Rare but serious: get medical help
- Excess thirst, passing a lot of urine, confusion, muscle weakness or an irregular heartbeat (possible high blood calcium)
- Severe stomach pain or ongoing vomiting
- Swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing (severe allergic reaction). Call 112
Who should be careful
Some people need to check with a doctor before taking high-strength vitamin D.
When the label says not to use it
- High levels of calcium in the blood or urine
- Allergy to any ingredient of the product
- High levels of calcium in the blood or urine
- Kidney disease or kidney stones
- Sarcoidosis or other conditions that raise blood calcium
- Taking calcium or other vitamin D products as well: the total can become too high
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: ask your doctor
- Heart rhythm problems or digoxin: high calcium can affect the heartbeat
Medicines and things that interact with Calcirol 60K
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about everything you take, including calcium and other supplements.
- Calcium supplements: together with vitamin D they can raise blood calcium if too much is taken
- Water tablets of the thiazide type: can raise blood calcium
- Digoxin: high calcium can affect the heart rhythm
- Other vitamin D products and multivitamins: the amounts add up
If someone takes too much
Too much vitamin D over time can cause too much calcium in the blood, with thirst, vomiting, confusion and kidney damage. If someone has taken more sachets than prescribed, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital and take the pack with you.
Storage
Store below 30 C in a dry place, protected from moisture and light, in the original sachet or pack, and out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date. Check the pack for the exact storage instructions.
Regulatory status in India
Sold in India as a high-strength vitamin D3 product. Single-ingredient cholecalciferol is not on the CDSCO list of medicines banned under section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Calcirol 60K is understood to contain cholecalciferol only. Whether it is labelled prescription-only must be read from the pack.
Other brands with the same medicine
Cholecalciferol 60,000 IU is sold under other brand names and as generic products in sachet, capsule or other forms. They contain the same vitamin; check the label for the strength and do not combine two products without asking your doctor.
Other strengths and forms
Vitamin D3 is sold in many strengths and forms, from low-strength daily supplements to high-strength products taken at intervals. The strength is printed on the pack and differs a great deal between products, so check the label of the one you have.
Common questions
Is Calcirol 60K taken every day?
No. At 60,000 IU one sachet is a very high amount, so doctors set how often it is taken and for how long. Daily vitamin D supplements are much lower. Follow your doctor's schedule exactly and do not take extra.
Is Calcirol 60K a prescription medicine?
Check the pack, where the schedule is printed. Because of the high strength, it should be used only on a doctor's advice, who confirms the deficiency, often with a blood test, and decides the schedule.
Can I take too much vitamin D?
Yes. The NHS says adults should not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) a day unless a doctor advises, and long-term excess can build up calcium and harm the bones, kidneys and heart. Tell your doctor about every vitamin D and calcium product you take.
What if I miss a dose of Calcirol 60K?
Ask your doctor or pharmacist what to do, because the right answer depends on your schedule. Do not take a double amount to make up for it.
What is the difference between Calcirol 60K and cholecalciferol?
Calcirol is a brand name and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) is the vitamin inside it. Other products contain the same vitamin at different strengths, so check the amount on the pack and ask your doctor before switching.
Sources
- Vitamin D. NHS (UK)
- ATC/DDD Index: A11CC05 Colecalciferol. WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology
- List of drugs prohibited for manufacture and sale through gazette notifications under section 26A of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act 1940. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)