![]() ![]() Majority of calcitriol preparations are combined with zinc or zinc sulphate ( n=87, 72.5%). While all cholecalciferol preparations are available as a single constituent more than 75% of alfacalcidiol preparations also contain calcium ( n=85, 76.5%). Though oral administration in the form of drops is commonly recommended for infants and children, adolescents and adults are usually prescribed tablets, capsules or granules for supplementation. Other dosage forms include syrups and softgel capsules. Though alfacalcidiol and calcitriol are commonly available as tablets and capsules cholecalciferol is in the form of granules in sachets ( n=17, 62.9%). The most common formulation for oral administration is in the form of tablets ( n=132, 51.1%) and capsules ( n=91, 35.2%). We, therefore undertook a study to ascertain that availability and composition of various pharmaceutical preparations of vitamin D in the Indian market. ![]() Thus, vitamin D supplementation in the form of pharmaceutical preparations is one of the most effective ways to prevent and treat VDD in high-risk groups. This complex interplay between lack of adequate sun exposure, deficient intake and effective food fortification strategies makes Asian Indian population particularly susceptible to vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency. In our country, availability, acceptability and cost of these dietary products limits their widespread use by the general population. Secondary sources includedietary intake of foods naturally richin vitamin D such as salmon, codliveroil, sundried mushrooms or vitamin D fortified foods. However, reduced cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D could be attributed to limited UV exposure owing to increased skin pigmentation, topical application of sunscreen, certain sociocultural practice sandurban lifestyle. It has been presumed that Indians are vitamin D sufficient due to adequatesunshine throughout the year. The major source of vitamin D is exposure to sunlight. This health challenge mandates effective nutritional policies, fortification and supplementation programmes and partnership between government, healthcare and industry to safeguard the health of Indian population at large. Implementation of population-based education and intervention programmes with enforcement of strict regulations could generate awareness and curb unsupervised intake of vitamin D containing dietary supplements. There is a need for marketing and rational prescribing of the appropriate vitamin D supplement in ostensibly healthy Indian population. High market sales of calcium supplements containing calcitriol indicate increasing intake of calcitriol rather than cholecalciferol which could predispose to toxicity. Cholecalciferol, the preferred form for prophylaxis and treatment of vitamin D deficient states, constitutes only 10% of the available market preparations. Most of the supplements contain calcitriol (46.5%) or alfacalcidiol (43%) as tablets (51.1%) and capsules (35.2%). Vitamin D3 is available in the form of cholecalciferol, alfacalcidiol and calcitriol as single ingredient products and in combination with calcium and other micronutrients. The preparations were assessed for total number, different formulations, constituents and amount of each constituent present in the formulation. We aimed to study the composition and availability of various vitamin D preparations in the Indian market, data about which was collected from annual drug compendium. In our country, as food fortification is lacking, supplementation with pharmaceutical preparations is the only means of treatment of vitamin D deficiency. It is now known that vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide health problem.
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