Greater Glasgow and Clyde Medicines

Calcium and Vitamin D: preferred preparations

Key messages

• The NHSGGC Adult Formulary has been updated to reflect that Accrete D3 is the preferred brand of calcium/vitamin D across acute and primary care.
• Patients in acute care can be switched to preferred preparations once existing stocks of currently available preparations have been depleted in acute. A short gap in treatment would be acceptable during the changeover period.
• Accrete D3 One A Day chewable tablets have been the primary care preparation of choice for a number of years with ScriptSwitch messages already in place. No new action required in primary care.

First Line
Accrete D3 One A Day chewable tablets

Second line
Accrete D3 film-coated tablets

(Not suitable for patients with soya bean or peanut allergy, and patients requiring a gelatin free preparation).

Swallowing difficulties and enteral tubes
Adcal D3 Dissolve effervescent tablets

Adcal D3 chewable tablets will be available, restricted to oncology patients to reflect oncology protocols. Not suitable for patients with soya bean or peanut allergy, and patients requiring a gelatin free preparation.

Background

NHSGGC is standardising calcium and vitamin D preparations prescribed within acute and primary care to reduce waste and maintain continuity of supply at hospital discharge. Ahead of the acute care switch, wards will be stocked with the above preparations. Adcal D3 chewable tablets will be stocked only on nominated wards.

Patients in acute care can be safely switched to the formulary brands of calcium and vitamin D once existing stocks have been depleted. Consider whether the patient has stock of their current preparation at home which could be used up first. Please inform patients if they are being switched and endorse the brand prescribed on the Immediate Discharge Letter (IDL).

Prescribers are reminded that calcium and vitamin D preparations are available in various strengths. The BNF or product literature should be consulted, available here, for information on calcium and vitamin D content.

Published 04/08/2021. Medicines Update blogs are correct at the time of publication.