Vitamin D drug formulation: from active substance to therapeutic effects

Abstract

The literature review presents current data on the origin and sources of industrial production of vitamin D, and describes the features of metabolism, biological and pharmacological properties of various vitamin D vitamers. Vitamin D vitamers are groups of structurally similar molecules that differ in the presence of certain functional groups and biological activity. The role of micellization in the mechanisms of absorption and assimilation of cholecalciferol is considered in detail; justified pharmaceutical technologies that improve its bioavailability. Depending on the dosage form and time of appearance in the Russian Federation, it is proposed to classify vitamin D drugs in the Russian Federation into three generations. First generation – fish oil preparations; second-generation drugs – vitamin D in an oil solution; the third generation – vitamin D as part of an aqueous solution of micelles. Preparations of the 3rd last generation, at the moment, are the most modern, as they level out the shortcomings of the previous two generations (fish oil and oil solution), and have the main advantage – high bioavailability, regardless of the patient's gastrointestinal diseases and the composition of the accompanying food (due to the content of finished micelles). The indications for the use of vitamin D preparations for the treatment, prevention and maintenance of the target level of vitamin D in children and adults are summarized, depending on the active substance (cholecalciferol, ergocalciferol) and its dosage form (drops, tablets, capsules).

Keywords

• cholecalciferol
• vitamin d metabolites
• dosage forms
• solubilization
• micellization