What is it used for?
Helps to prevent vitamin D deficiency [Source note 3].
Vitamin D intake, when combined with sufficient calcium, a healthy diet and regular exercise may reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis in people with vitamin D deficiency [Source note 4].
What this guide covers
Other Multi-vitamin/mineral supplement reference claims are not permitted, as the risk-benefit profile for products providing more than 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day was deemed acceptable only for a specific subpopulation associated with the claims listed in this reference, and not for general supplementation.
In addition, although source authority included a few complementary ingredients in this reference, high dose vitamin D can only be combined with the specific ingredients listed in this reference.
this reference cannot be combined with any other reference.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
Note: Adults 19 years and older is the only acceptable subpopulation for the source ingredients HAP or HVP and for zinc sourced from picolinate.
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
| Subpopulation(s) | active ingredient | Minimum¹ | Maximum² |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults 18 years and older | Vitamin D | 25 µg (> 1,000 IU*) | ≤ 62.5 µg (≤ 2,500 IU*) |
¹This value is based on the previous Prescription Drug List limit [Source note 5]. ²This value is based on the Prescription Drug List limit amended in 2021 [Source note 6].
The quantity of vitamin D per dosage unit must always be provided in micrograms (µg).
Optional: *International Units (IU) may be provided as additional quantity per dosage unit.
Conversion factor: 1 IU of vitamin D = 0.025 µg cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol [Source note 7].
| Subpopulation(s) | Subpopulation(s) | Complementary ingredient | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults | 18 years | Calcium | 65 mg | 1,500 mg |
| Adults | 19 years and older | Calcium | 65 mg | 1,500 mg |
| Adults | 18 years | Magnesium | 20 mg | 350 mg |
| Adults | 19 years and older | Magnesium | 20 mg | 500 mg |
| Adults | 18 years | Vitamin K₂ | 6 mcg | 75 mcg |
| Adults | 19 years and older | Vitamin K₂ | 6 mcg | 120 mcg |
| Adults | 18 years | Zinc (from non-picolinate sources) | 0.7 mg | 34 mg |
| Adults | 19 years and older | Zinc (from non-picolinate sources) | 0.7 mg | 50 mg |
| Adults | 18 years | Zinc (from picolinate sources) | - | - |
| Adults | 19 years and older | Zinc (from picolinate sources) | 0.7 mg | 25 mg |
¹Any restrictions from the Multi-vitamin/mineral supplements reference also apply.
How is it used?
Products that do not contain calcium at therapeutic dose
Take with an adequate intake of calcium.
Products containing calcium or zinc
Take with food [Source note 9].
Take a few hours before or after taking other medications or health products [Source note 10].
How long is it used?
Products containing zinc sourced from picolinate
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 12 weeks [Source note 11].
Other products
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 6 months [Source note 12].
Warnings and precautions
All products except products containing zinc sourced from picolinate requiring a contraindication
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have kidney disorders [Source note 13].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking other supplements or products containing vitamin D or vitamin D analogues.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking any medications including antacids, anticonvulsants, digoxin, cholestyramine, colestipol, mineral oil, steroids, statins or thiazide diuretics [Source note 14].
Ask a healthcare professional before use to determine if you would benefit from additional vitamin D as 15-20 mcg (600-800 IU) of vitamin D per day is an adequate quantity for most individuals.
Products containing vitamin K₂
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking blood thinners [Source note 15].
Products providing 25-34 mg of zinc per day for adults 18 years or 31-50 mg of zinc per day for adults 19 years and older
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are unsure whether you are taking enough copper as zinc supplementation can cause a copper deficiency [Source note 16].
When should it be avoided?
All products
Do not use if you have hypercalcemia and/or hypercalciuria [Source note 17].
Products containing zinc sourced from picolinate
Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding [Source note 18].
Possible side effects
All products
Stop use and ask a healthcare professional if the following early symptoms of hypercalcemia occur: weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, headache, lack of appetite, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, ringing in the ears, lack of coordination and muscle weakness or if you develop any other symptom [Source note 19].
Products providing more than 350 mg of magnesium per day
When using this product you may experience diarrhea [Source note 20].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper Name(s) | Common Name(s) | Source information / Source ingredient(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D |
| Ergocalciferol |
| Vitamin D |
| Cholecalciferol |
References: Proper name: FCC 2025; RSC 2025; Brayfield and Cadart 2024; Common names: FCC 2025; RSC 2025; Brayfield and Cadart 2024; Source information: FCC 2025; RSC 2025; Brayfield and Cadart 2024.
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information¹,² / Source ingredient(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Calcium |
|
| Magnesium | Magnesium |
|
| Vitamin K₂ | Vitamin K₂ |
|
| Zinc | Zinc |
|
¹For complementary ingredients both the synthetic and non-synthetic forms are supported by this reference. However, if non-synthetic, the ingredient must be isolated and purified from a source material listed in its source ingredient database entry. For example, calcium sourced from bone meal, coral calcareous skeleton, or oyster shell is also acceptable. All active ingredients isolated from source materials must be of an acceptable purity. this reference does not support extracts. ²When applicable, any hydrated form of a source ingredient listed above would be acceptable on the marketed label as long as it is included in the source ingredient database.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- June 26, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.