Vitamin D is a type of nutrient found in dairy products and fish that is also produced by your body after exposure to sunlight. Although it is necessary for bone health, vitamin D has the potential to cause side effects, especially when it is taken in supplement form.

Features

Side effects of vitamin D typically occur when you consume more than the U.S. Department of Agriculture's recommended daily intake of the nutrient, which is 200 international units for adults under 50 and 400 to 600 IU daily for adults over 50, according to the Mayo Clinic. The side effects caused by vitamin D are known as hypervitaminosis D or vitamin D toxicity.

Types of Side Effects

Side effects of hypervitaminosis D include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and constipation. Drowsiness, fatigue, headaches, dry mouth, a metallic taste and weakness are additional side effects, according to RxList.

Risks

Excessive amounts of vitamin D may cause seizures, confusion, changes in heart rhythm or kidney stones, warns the Mayo Clinic. In severe cases, hypervitaminosis D may lead to excessive amounts of calcium in your bloodstream, which may cause kidney failure, dementia, coma and even death.

Drug Interactions

Taking vitamin D with the psoriasis medication calcipotriene or the heart medication digoxin poses an increased risk of side effects from the drug, warns RxList. Additionally, taking vitamin D supplements with diuretics like chlorothiazide increases your risk of developing kidney problems from the vitamin.

Considerations

If you have a history of kidney disease, hypercalcemia, hardening of your arteries, sarcoidosis, histoplasmosis, lymphoma or parathyroid disease, it may not be safe for you to take vitamin D supplements, according to RxList.

Source:

RxList: Vitamin D Effectiveness, Safety and Drug Interactions

Mayo Clinic: Vitamin D Toxicity

Mayo Clinic: Hypercalcemia-Complications