Colecalciferol: A critical analysis of manipulated and industrialized products

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a worldwide problem, and according to several studies, reports indicate an increase in the number of prescriptions containing vitamin D by Health workers. Also, individuals have used this substance for another purpose other than those linked to mineral metabolism, despite there is no self-evidence for the use of vitamin D in preventing other diseases. This work has critically analysed the prescribing, manipulation and use of cholecalciferol in extemporaneous (compound) preparations and commercially available products. Compound pharmacies informed the types of oral dosage forms containing cholecalciferol in Recife, Brazil; Electronic queries to the Anvisa website and INTUITIVE® (software used by the Carlos Drummond de Andrade Pharmacy School-FECDA) allowed the commercial and compounded formulations to be listed and analysed. Databases were evaluated to establish a critical and current analysis of our results. There was widespread concern about the establishment of adequate blood levels of this vitamin in the population by health professionals since 29 different specialists prescribed cholecalciferol in extemporaneous formulations. A higher amount of dosage and pharmaceutical products were also found when compared to the marketed national products. Moreover, ensuring that these prescriptions are based on the need of each patient requires blood tests and the use of recognized guidelines, which, combined with pharmacotherapeutic monitoring, may contribute to therapeutic success.