Vitamin D/Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements: A Seasonal Reminder
Key Messages
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Scottish Government guidance suggests that people of all age groups should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement of 10 micrograms (400 units) daily particularly during the winter months (October to March)
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Pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under 3 (receiving less than 500ml of infant formula daily) can obtain free supplies of vitamin D via their community pharmacy as detailed HERE
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Those who are not eligible for free supplies of vitamin D can purchase a vitamin D supplement at pharmacies, supermarkets and online
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Some patient groups will be unable to purchase supplements themselves and GPs may be asked to prescribe, e.g. for those who are institutionalised, frail or housebound or low income families. Details of preferred choices for prescribing can be found HERE
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If a combined calcium and vitamin D supplement is required, the preferred choices can be found HERE, and includes options for those who are unable to tolerate the 1st and 2nd line preparations
Background
Vitamin D can be purchased or prescribed for prophylaxis according to the Scottish Government guidance; or prescribed as treatment (sometimes in combination with calcium) due to medical conditions and low vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D Treatment
The blog Vitamin D: Prevention and Treatment of Deficiency outlines when treatment doses are needed and provides a link to the full guidance.
Calcium and vitamin D supplements
Vitamin D supplements in combination with calcium supplements are prescribed in certain patient cohorts as detailed in the full guideline HERE. Information on the preferred choices for calcium and vitamin D combination products can be found HERE:
1st line: Accrete D3 One A Day chewable tablets (once daily)
2nd line: Accrete D3 film coated tablets (twice daily)
Swallowing difficulties and enteral tubes: Adcal D3 Dissolve effervescent tablets (twice daily)
If the preferred list options are unpalatable or not tolerated, sachets (eg: Cacit D3 sachets) and caplets (eg: Adcal D3 caplets) are included in the Total Formulary to encourage compliance.
Further information to help patients understand the reason why it may be recommended that they take a vitamin D supplement can be found HERE and a patient information leaflet, produced in seven different languages, is available HERE.
Published 10/02/2023. Medicines Update blogs are correct at the time of publication.