The Southern Medical Journal (SMJ) is the official, peer-reviewed journal of the Southern Medical Association. It has a multidisciplinary and inter-professional focus that covers a broad range of topics relevant to physicians and other healthcare specialists.

SMJ // Article

Case Report

The Lack of Vitamin D Toxicity with Megadose of Daily Ergocalciferol (D2) Therapy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Authors: David W. Stephenson MD, PharmD, Alan N. Peiris MD, PhD, MRCP, FACP, FACE

Abstract

Abstract:The maximum daily dose of vitamin D currently recommended is 2000 IU. Ergocalciferol (D2) 50,000 IU orally weekly for 8–12 weeks is often used to treat vitamin D deficient patients (25(OH) vitamin D <20 ng/mL). The lack of vitamin D toxicity after massive doses of ergocalciferol has yet to be reported in the literature. We report a case of a 56-year-old woman who received supratherapeutic doses of ergocalciferol (150,000 IU orally daily) for 28 years without toxicity. We discuss the possible mechanisms which may account for a lack of toxicity despite intake of massive daily doses of ergocalciferol in this patient.

This content is limited to qualifying members.

Existing members, please login first

If you have an existing account please login now to access this article or view purchase options.

Purchase only this article ($25)

Create a free account, then purchase this article to download or access it online for 24 hours.

Purchase an SMJ online subscription ($75)

Create a free account, then purchase a subscription to get complete access to all articles for a full year.

Purchase a membership plan (fees vary)

Premium members can access all articles plus recieve many more benefits. View all membership plans and benefit packages.

References

References1. Drinka PJ, Moore J, Boushan MC. Severe hypercalcemia after transition from calcium carbonate to calcium citrate in an elderly woman treated with ergocalciferol 50,000 IU per day. Am J Geriatr Pharmacother 2006;4:70–74.DrinkaPJ]]MooreJ]]BoushanMCSevere hypercalcemia after transition from calcium carbonate to calcium citrate in an elderly woman treated with ergocalciferol 50,000 IU per day.Am J Geriatr Pharmacother2006470-742. Vieth R. Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and safety. Am J Clin Nut 1999;69:842–856.ViethRVitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and safety.Am J Clin Nut199969842-8563. Scientific Committee on Food. Opinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of Vitamin D. Brussels, Belgium, European Commission, 2002.Scientific Committee on FoodOpinion of the Scientific Committee on Food on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of Vitamin D.Brussels, BelgiumEuropean Commission20024. Vieth R. Vitamin D toxicity, policy, and science. J Bone Min Res 2007;22(suppl 2):V64–V68.ViethRVitamin D toxicity, policy, and science.J Bone Min Res200722V64-V685. Romagnoli E, Mascia ML, Cipriani C, et al. Short and long-term variations in serum calciotropic hormones after a single very large dose of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) or cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in the elderly. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93:3015–3020.RomagnoliE]]MasciaML]]CiprianiC&etal;Short and long-term variations in serum calciotropic hormones after a single very large dose of ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) or cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in the elderly.J Clin Endocrinol Metab2008933015-30206. Boyle MP, Moschese ML, Watts SL, et al. Failure of high-dose ergocalciferol to correct vitamin D deficiency in adults with cystic fibrosis. Am J Resp Crit Care Med 2005;172:212–217.BoyleMP]]MoscheseML]]WattsSL&etal;Failure of high-dose ergocalciferol to correct vitamin D deficiency in adults with cystic fibrosis.Am J Resp Crit Care Med2005172212-2177. Houghton LA, Vieth R. The case against ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) as a vitamin supplement. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;84:694–697.HoughtonLA]]ViethRThe case against ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2) as a vitamin supplement.Am J Clin Nutr200684694-6978. Holick MF, Biancuzzo RM, Chen TC, et al. Vitamin D2 is as effective as vitamin D3 in maintaining circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008;93:677–681.HolickMF]]BiancuzzoRM]]ChenTC&etal;Vitamin D2 is as effective as vitamin D3 in maintaining circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.J Clin Endocrinol Metab200893677-6819. Armas LA, Hollis BW, Heaney RP. Vitamin D2 is much less effective than vitamin D3 in humans. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004;89:5387–5391.ArmasLA]]HollisBW]]HeaneyRPVitamin D2 is much less effective than vitamin D3 in humans.J Clin Endocrinol Metab2004895387-539110. Harrington DD, Page EH. Acute vitamin D3 toxicosis in horses: case reports and experimental studies of the comparative toxicology of vitamin D2 and D3. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1983;182:1358–1369.HarringtonDD]]PageEHAcute vitamin D3 toxicosis in horses: case reports and experimental studies of the comparative toxicology of vitamin D2 and D3.J Am Vet Med Assoc19831821358-136911. Hunt RD, Garcia FT, Walsh RJ. A comparison of the toxicity of ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). J Nutr 1972;102:975–986.HuntRD]]GarciaFT]]WalshRJA comparison of the toxicity of ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).J Nutr1972102975-98612. Morris JG. Cats discriminate between cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2002;86:229–238.MorrisJGCats discriminate between cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol.J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl)200286229-23813. Mawer EB, Hann JT, Berry JL, et al. Vitamin D metabolism in patients intoxicated with ergocalciferol. Clin Sci (Lond) 1985;68:135–141.MawerEB]]HannJT]]BerryJL&etal;Vitamin D metabolism in patients intoxicated with ergocalciferol.Clin Sci (Lond)198568135-141