SupplementScience

Vitamin D3 Side Effects & Safety

DJP
Reviewed by , MD, Board Certified Internal Medicine

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Generally Safe

Potential Side Effects

  • Hypercalcemia at chronic high doses (>10,000 IU/day)
  • Nausea and vomiting with excessive intake
  • Kidney stones in susceptible individuals at very high doses
  • Constipation or digestive discomfort
  • Metallic taste at toxic levels

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • Thiazide diuretics may increase calcium levels when combined with vitamin D
  • Corticosteroids reduce calcium absorption and may impair vitamin D metabolism
  • Statins — some forms of vitamin D may affect statin metabolism
  • Orlistat and cholestyramine reduce vitamin D absorption

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 4,000 IU/day (NIH Upper Tolerable Intake Level); up to 10,000 IU short-term under medical supervision

Full Vitamin D3 Guide

References

  1. (). Vitamin D supplementation to prevent acute respiratory tract infections: systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. BMJ. DOI
  2. (). Vitamin D Supplements and Prevention of Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI
  3. (). Vitamin D deficiency and depression in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Psychiatry. DOI
  4. (). Comparison of vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 supplementation in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status: a systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. DOI