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Vitamin D Prescribing

Vitamin D Prescribing

Written by Max Thilo

📖 Guidance

🔗 NICE CKS – Vitamin D deficiency in adults

25–50 nmol/L

👉 Only treat if the patient is one or more of the following:

  • Symptomatic

  • Has bone disease

  • Has risk factors for deficiency

  • Is at risk of developing deficiency in the future


💊 If treatment is indicated

Loading dose

  • 50,000 units once a week for 6 weeks (300,000 IU in total).

    • Other regimens exist, check local formulary.

Maintenance

  • 1,000–2,000 units daily

  • 👉 Advise over the counter purchase only

  • Maintenance doses should not be prescribed

💡 Tip:

Use the AccuRx “Vitamin D insufficiency” template to quickly and clearly inform patients about OTC purchasing [tudor lodge]


⚠️ Key prescribing reminders

  • All maintenance Vitamin D supplementation (1,000–2,000 units daily) should be OTC, not prescribed

  • Avoid orodispersible or liquid preparations unless the patient has documented swallowing difficulties

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