What is "ergocalciferol"

ergocalciferol \ergocalciferol\ n. vitamin D2, one of the D vitamins, a group of related substances that prevent rickets.

Syn: vitamin D, calciferol, cholecarciferol, D.

n. Constituent of vitamin D1 and vitamin D2.

n. a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets [syn: vitamin D, calciferol, viosterol, cholecarciferol, D]

Ergocalciferol (vitamin D) is a form of vitamin D. Ergocalciferol is a secosteroid formed by a photochemical bond breaking of a steroid, specifically, by the action of ultraviolet light on ergosterol. Viosterol, the name given to early preparations of irradiated ergosterol, is essentially synonymous with ergocalciferol.

Ergocalciferol may be used as a vitamin D supplement, and a 2011 clinical guideline considered ergocalciferol to be as effective as cholecalciferol (vitamin D) which is produced naturally by the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light. Ergocalciferol is manufactured and marketed under various names, including Deltalin ( Eli Lilly and Company), Drisdol (Sanofi-Synthelabo) and Calcidol (Patrin Pharma).