Fultium-D3

Fultium-D3 supplements the diet if a person is not getting enough vitamin D from food and sunlight. Vitamin D maintains the bones, teeth and muscles by regulating the amount of calcium and phosphate the body contains. Vitamin D is made by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It is sometimes known as the “sunshine vitamin”. Usually, we can obtain the amount of vitamin D we need daily through our normal activities. It is not necessary to sit in the sun for long periods of time to absorb vitamin D as this can be dangerous. However, some people who do not get enough sunlight need to increase their levels of vitamin D. This is true of elderly people who don´t leave the house often or those that are in care homes and do not go outside much. Also, with today’s modern living, people tend to stay indoors and this indoor lifestyle can cause low levels of vitamin D. A deficiency in vitamin D can also occur in people who live in countries in the northern hemisphere, where the hours of sunlight are much less than in the southern hemisphere. This also applies to the UK in the winter, when the hours of sunshine are reduced. Vitamin D is also derived from some foods we eat such as: Oily fish (salmon, canned tuna, sardines); Dairy products; Eggs; Red meat; Fortified breakfast cereals. Fultium-D3 helps the body to absorb calcium which is essential for strong, healthy bones. This medicine comes in the form of drops or capsules.

A lack of vitamin D is a common health condition. Vitamin D is important for healthy bones and teeth. Fultium-D3 is a vitamin supplement that treats and prevents the deficiency of vitamin D. Its medical name is colecalciferol and it assists with the extraction of calcium and phosphate from the food we eat.

Fultium-D3 supplements the diet if a person is not getting enough vitamin D from food and sunlight. Vitamin D maintains the bones, teeth and muscles by regulating the amount of calcium and phosphate the body contains.

Vitamin D is made by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It is sometimes known as the “sunshine vitamin”. Usually, we can obtain the amount of vitamin D we need daily through our normal activities. It is not necessary to sit in the sun for long periods of time to absorb vitamin D as this can be dangerous.

However, some people who do not get enough sunlight need to increase their levels of vitamin D. This is true of elderly people who don´t leave the house often or those that are in care homes and do not go outside much. Also, with today’s modern living, people tend to stay indoors and this indoor lifestyle can cause low levels of vitamin D.

A deficiency in vitamin D can also occur in people who live in countries in the northern hemisphere, where the hours of sunlight are much less than in the southern hemisphere. This also applies to the UK in the winter, when the hours of sunshine are reduced.

Vitamin D is also derived from some foods we eat such as:

• Oily fish (salmon, canned tuna, sardines);
• Dairy products;
• Eggs;
• Red meat;
• Fortified breakfast cereals.

Fultium-D3 helps the body to absorb calcium which is essential for strong, healthy bones.

This medicine comes in the form of drops or capsules.

Fultium-D3 can be used by people who suffer from vitamin D deficiency. This means their body does not produce enough vitamin D. Fultium-D3 can top up and maintain the body’s vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D is essential for our bodies and is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines as it is considered to benefit our health. But we must ensure we maintain the right dose. Not enough vitamin D can lead to bone weakness and other health problems such as the inability of the body to fight infections. Alternatively, too much vitamin D can cause the over calcification of bones and blood vessels and body tissues to harden.

This is why it is important to take the advice of a doctor or pharmacist on how much vitamin D you need as an individual.

In children, a prolonged lack of vitamin D can cause a disease known as rickets. This occurs when the bones do not form correctly due to them being weak. The bone tissue is soft and can cause a deformity in the skeleton.

A child with rickets is likely to have some of the following:

• Stunted growth;
• Bowed legs;
• A large forehead;
• Delayed motor skills;
• Weakness in the muscles;
• Painful legs, pelvis and spine;
• Projection of the breastbone;
• Thick ankles and wrists.

In serious cases, a child may need surgery to correct their deformed bones and allow them to lead a normal lifestyle.

Adults and children can suffer from osteomalacia if they suffer from a lack of vitamin D, which causes pain and weakening in the bones. This can cause the bones not to grow correctly in children and fractures to be more likely in adults, both because the bones are soft.

This disease can be painful and make walking difficult. It can affect the lower back, hips, legs, pelvis and ribs.

Osteoporosis is another bone disease that is caused by the bones being porous. This means the quality and density of the bones decreases, which can make them more likely to break.

When we are younger our bone density is heavier, which means the parts that the bone is made of are close together. Bone density can lessen and osteoporosis can occur as we age. If a person has osteoporosis, the gaps between the parts widen as the bone tissue degenerates. This makes the bones weaker. Osteoporosis can occur as a person ages and is often the reason why older people break bones more easily. Their bones are more brittle and so are more likely to break.

Vitamin D can also help boost the immune system, which helps us fight infection and inflammation. It can be useful during the winter months when people tend to pass the germs of colds and flu around. It works by making the immune system cells stronger so they can stop some illnesses attacking the immune system.

Other symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include:

• Feeling tired constantly;
• Being unwell regularly;
• Bone pain;
• Feeling depressed;
• Slow healing of wounds or scars;
• Pain in the muscles;
• Hair loss.

If you feel you may be lacking in vitamin D you should talk to your doctor or pharmacist. A simple blood test can confirm if you are deficient in this vitamin and would benefit from taking a supplement such as Fultium-D3.

Fultium-D3 capsules are suitable for adults and children over 12 years of age. The drops are suitable for both adults and children under the age of 12. Children under 12 should not take the capsules.

Fultium-D3 is available as drops and capsules. To take the capsules you swallow them whole with a glass of water. They must not be chewed. The drops can be mixed with a drink or liquid food such as yoghurt.

You can take Fultium-D3 at any time of the day.

It is important not to take this medication with any other vitamin D supplements.

You should always take the dosage advised by your doctor.

Fultium-D3 comes in the form of capsules or drops. The common dosages are:

• Adults and children over 12 years of age 1-4 capsules or 6-60 drops per day;
• Children between 2-11 years of age 6-30 drops per day;
• Children under 2 years of age 6-15 drops per day.

Children under 12 must not be given the capsules.

You should ask the advice of your pharmacist when taking this medicine as the dosage may be different for your individual circumstances.

After you have been taking Fultium-D3 for several weeks you should talk to a doctor or pharmacist about reducing the dose as your vitamin D levels should have increased.

You should not take Fultium-D3 with other vitamin D supplements.

If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels you can request a blood test at your doctor’s surgery to find out if you have a deficiency.

Fultium-D3 may have some side effects, as with all medicines. Some of the possible side effects are:

• Feeling sick;
• Constipation;
• Loss of appetite;
• Stomachache;
• Muscle weakness;
• Feeling excessively thirsty;
• Feeling tired;
• Confusion.

If you experience any of the above while taking Fultium-D and are concerned you should see your doctor or talk to a pharmacist.

You may also experience too much calcium in your blood (hypercalcaemia) which can cause cramp, constipation, kidney stones and heart rhythm problems (heart arrhythmias).

You may also suffer from excess calcium in the urine (hypercalciuria) when taking this medication. You would only know this by having a blood or urine test.

Taking Fultium-D3 as a vitamin D supplement is not suitable for everyone. Do not use this medicine if you:

Are allergic to vitamin D or any of the ingredients on the packaging;

• Are taking another vitamin D supplement;
• Have high levels of calcium in your blood or urine;
• Have high levels of vitamin D in your blood;
• Have any kidney condition including kidney stones.

You should not take Fultium-D3

If you are taking certain diruretic medication as some may increase the calcium in your urine.

If you have any concerns about taking Fultium-D3 you should consult a doctor before taking it.

It is advisable to speak to a doctor before taking Fultium-D3 if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Fultium-D3 can react with other medicines, particularly some heart medicines and laxatives. If you are taking any other medication, including herbal medicines, you should talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking Fultium-D3.

You are safe to drive, operate machinery and drink alcohol when taking Fultium-D3.

Standard fose Fultium-D3 can be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription.

Yes, you can get Fultium-D3 without a prescription from a doctor, but it is advisable to consult a doctor if you are taking any other medication. You should carefully read the dosing schedule in the leaflet to make sure you are taking it correctly.

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Vitamin D. Vitamins and minerals. 3 March, 2017. Retrieved 21 January, 2020 from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/

What is Osteoporosis and What Causes It? (N.D.). National Osteoporosis Foundation. Retrieved 21 January, 2020 from https://www.nof.org/patients/what-is-osteoporosis/

University of Edinburgh. 17 April, 2019. Science News. Vitamin D study sheds light on immune system effects. Retrieved 21 January, 2020 from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190417111440.htm

Whiteman, H. 30 January, 2014. Vitamin D supplements: are they really good for our health? Retrieved 11 January 2020 from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/271975.php#1

Fultium D3 (colecalciferol). Retrieved 11 January, 2020 from https://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/dietry/a8824/fultium-d3-colecalciferol/