Cholecalciferol 20 000 IU Once Weekly in HIV-Positive Patients with Low Vitamin D Levels: Result from a Cohort Study

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate efficacy and safety of 20 000 IU cholecalciferol weekly in HIV-infected patients. Methods: Longitudinal data for 243 HIV-infected patients with paired 25-OH-vitamin D3 values for the same month in 2 consecutive years were stratified by the initiation of supplementation in this retrospective study. Results: After 1 year of administration of cholecalciferol 20 000 IU weekly, about 78% of patients with initial vitamin D level <20 µg/L achieved vitamin D levels >20 µg/L and 42% achieved levels >30 µg/L. Supplemented patients with baseline vitamin D levels <20 µg/L showed a significant risk reduction for hypocalcemia ( P = .006; risk difference: 20.8%) and a significantly lower increase in alkaline phosphatase (AP) compared to those in the nonsubstituted group. Conclusion: The dose of 20 000 IU of cholecalciferol once weekly was found to be safe and effective. Normalization of vitamin D levels within 1 year was observed in 42% to 75% of the patients.