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Ergocalciferol

Ergocalciferol has been studied in 16 papers since 2003: 8 trials and 2 observational studies in people, 5 reviews; 3 in the past year. It is an approved medicine. The newest paper, Feb 22, 2026: “Vitamin D deficiency and disease conditions relevant to: Orthopaedic translation”.

InterventionVitamin DApproved 1941

16 papers study it18 more mention it36 findingsUpdated

PubChemChEBI

See all 34

“there was no significant difference in the change in BMD at any site between the subjects taking calcium supplements and those taking calcium plus vitamin D(2).”
Vitamin D supplementation and bone mineral density in early postmenopausal womenThe American journal of clinical nutrition2003doi:10.1093/ajcn/77.5.1324

1 of its findings points the other way.

C, W, M, H: cells, worms or flies, mice, humans. Dark: independent labs found the same change there. Light: one lab or one study. Outline: nothing yet.

Labs are independent when their papers share no last author and no institution.

Against: findings that point the other way from most findings on the same outcome.

About aging: trials about aging, of every trial that tests the drug for any use.

No results posted: trials that ended over a year ago with no results on ClinicalTrials.gov and no paper reporting them.

  • 8 independent labs in 7 countries
  • 1 finding against
  • 26 trials, none about aging, 11 with no results posted
  • Funders: Chulalongkorn University and 7 more
  • Human trial8
  • Humans2
  • In silico1

Studies in people

See all 7

7 studies gave ergocalciferol to people and measured what changed.

What did studies of Ergocalciferol find?

16

Studies of Ergocalciferol measured 16 outcomes; the most studied are 25-hydroxyvitamin D (3 studies), physical function (2) and parathyroid hormone (2).

25-hydroxyvitamin D

upin humans3

3 studies

  1. Ergocalciferol increases 25-hydroxyvitamin D in humans.

    “At week 12, the mean 25(OH)D level was 96.7 ± 5.8 ng/mL in the vitamin D group and 23.8 ± 4.1 ng/mL in the control group (mean difference: 72.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 70.72 to 75.08; p < 0.001).”

    Human trial12 weeksn = 84

    Effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle function and quality of life in patients with chronic intestinal failure: a randomized controlled trial : Clean version

    Journal of translational medicine

  2. Ergocalciferol increases 25-hydroxyvitamin D in humans (chronic intestinal failure and vitamin D deficiency) (96.7 ± 5.8 vs. 23.8 ± 4.1 ng/mL, p < 0.001).

    “serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly higher in the vitamin D group than in the control group (96.7 ± 5.8 vs. 23.8 ± 4.1 ng/mL; p < 0.001).”

    Human trialchronic intestinal failure and vitamin D deficiency600,000 units every two weeks10 weeksn = 84

    Effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle function and quality of life in patients with chronic intestinal failure: a randomized controlled trial : Clean version

    Journal of translational medicine

  3. Ergocalciferol increases 25-hydroxyvitamin D in humans.

    “Following 6 months of weekly supplementation with 40,000 IU of vitamin D2, there was a statistically significant increase in the median serum 25(OH)D level.”

    Human trial40,000 IU weekly6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

  4. Ergocalciferol increases 25-hydroxyvitamin D in humans (from 24.9 to 43.1 ng/mL, p < 0.001).

    “After supplementation, median 25(OH)D increased to 43.1 ng/mL (p < 0.001), with a significant reduction in PTH (p < 0.001).”

    Human trial40,000 IU weekly6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

  5. Ergocalciferol increases 25-hydroxyvitamin D in ESKD patients on dialysis (from 14.5 ± 7.3 to 27.2 ± 13.2 ng/mL, P < .001 and from 15.1 ± 6.4 to 28.8 ± 11.5 ng/mL, P < .001).

    “the average serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the severity-dependent and fixed-dose groups were significantly elevated”

    Human trialin ESKD patients on dialysis6 monthsn = 76

    A Comparison Between Severity-Dependent Protocol and Fixed-Dose Regimen of Oral Vitamin D Supplementation on Correction of Hypovitaminosis D Among Dialysis Patients

    Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation

More on 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Physical function

upin humans2

2 studies

  1. Ergocalciferol improves physical function in humans.

    “The vitamin D group demonstrated significant improvements in skeletal muscle mass, physical function, and quality of life scores compared to the control group”

    Human trial12 weeksn = 84

    Effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle function and quality of life in patients with chronic intestinal failure: a randomized controlled trial : Clean version

    Journal of translational medicine

  2. Ergocalciferol improves physical function in humans (chronic intestinal failure and vitamin D deficiency) (p < 0.05).

    “clinically meaningful improvements in the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, handgrip strength, 6-meter walking speed”

    Human trialchronic intestinal failure and vitamin D deficiency600,000 units every two weeks10 weeksn = 84

    Effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle function and quality of life in patients with chronic intestinal failure: a randomized controlled trial : Clean version

    Journal of translational medicine

  3. Ergocalciferol improves physical function in humans.

    “Administration of vitamin D2 supplementation resulted in significant improvements in overall physical performance, including better outcomes in the balance test (p = 0.01), gait speed (p = 0.009), chair stand test (p < 0.001), and SPPB score (p < 0.001).”

    Human trial6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

  4. Ergocalciferol improves physical function in humans (p < 0.001).

    “Significant improvements were observed in muscle mass (p = 0.04), balance test (p = 0.01), gait speed (p = 0.009), chair stand test (p < 0.001), short physical performance (p < 0.001)”

    Human trial40,000 IU weekly6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

Parathyroid hormone

downin humans1no changein humans1

2 studies

  1. Ergocalciferol decreases parathyroid hormone in humans.

    “Furthermore, plasma PTH levels showed a significant decrease (p < 0.001) following the supplementation.”

    Human trial6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

  2. Ergocalciferol decreases parathyroid hormone in humans (p < 0.001).

    “with a significant reduction in PTH (p < 0.001).”

    Human trial40,000 IU weekly6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

  3. Ergocalciferol showed no clear effect on parathyroid hormone in humans (hemodialysis patients with 25(OH)D levels <= 32 ng/ml).

    “Calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone levels, and active vitamin D treatment did not differ between groups.”

    Human trialhemodialysis patients with 25(OH)D levels <= 32 ng/ml12 weeksn = 105

    Nutritional vitamin D supplementation in dialysis: a randomized trial

    Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN

More on Parathyroid hormone

Muscle mass

upin humans2

2 studies

  1. Ergocalciferol improves muscle mass in humans.

    “After receiving vitamin D2 supplementation, there were significant reductions in WC, percentage of fat mass, and fat mass, while muscle mass demonstrated a significant increase compared to before supplementation (p < 0.05).”

    Human trial6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

  2. Ergocalciferol improves muscle mass in humans (p = 0.04).

    “Significant improvements were observed in muscle mass (p = 0.04)”

    Human trial40,000 IU weekly6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

  3. Ergocalciferol increases muscle mass in ESKD patients on dialysis (14.5 ± 3.3 to 15.3 ± 3.0 kg/m2, P = .03).

    “total body muscle mass normalized to height squared was significantly increased at 6 months in the fixed-dose group (14.5 ± 3.3 to 15.3 ± 3.0 kg/m2, P = .03)”

    Human trialin ESKD patients on dialysisfixed-dose regimen20,000 international units/week6 months

    A Comparison Between Severity-Dependent Protocol and Fixed-Dose Regimen of Oral Vitamin D Supplementation on Correction of Hypovitaminosis D Among Dialysis Patients

    Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation

Mortality

no changein humans2

2 studies

  1. Ergocalciferol showed no clear effect on mortality in humans (hemodialysis patients with 25(OH)D levels <= 32 ng/ml) (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.07 to 1.19).

    “Lower all-cause mortality among ergocalciferol-treated participants was not statistically significant (hazard ratio, 0.28; 95% confidence interval, 0.07 to 1.19).”

    Human trialhemodialysis patients with 25(OH)D levels <= 32 ng/ml1 yearn = 105

    Nutritional vitamin D supplementation in dialysis: a randomized trial

    Clinical journal of the American Society of Nephrology : CJASN

  2. Ergocalciferol showed no clear effect on mortality in humans.

    “Vitamin D(2), alfacalcidol, and calcitriol had no statistically significant effect on mortality.”

    Reviewmedian of two years

    Vitamin D supplementation for prevention of mortality in adults

    The Cochrane database of systematic reviews

Quality of life

upin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol improves quality of life in humans.

    “The vitamin D group demonstrated significant improvements in skeletal muscle mass, physical function, and quality of life scores compared to the control group”

    Human trial12 weeksn = 84

    Effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle function and quality of life in patients with chronic intestinal failure: a randomized controlled trial : Clean version

    Journal of translational medicine

  2. Ergocalciferol improves quality of life in humans (chronic intestinal failure and vitamin D deficiency) (p < 0.05).

    “improvements in the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, handgrip strength, 6-meter walking speed, and the SF-36 physical component summary score (all p < 0.05”

    Human trialchronic intestinal failure and vitamin D deficiency600,000 units every two weeks10 weeksn = 84

    Effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle function and quality of life in patients with chronic intestinal failure: a randomized controlled trial : Clean version

    Journal of translational medicine

Appendicular skeletal muscle mass index

upin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol increases appendicular skeletal muscle mass index in humans.

    “The vitamin D group demonstrated significant improvements in skeletal muscle mass, physical function, and quality of life scores compared to the control group (control group vs. vitamin D group: appendicular skeletal muscle mass index: 6.3 ± 0.69 vs. 6.7 ± 0.65; mean difference, 0.4; 95% CI [0.108 to 0.692]; p = 0.008”

    Human trial12 weeksn = 84

    Effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle function and quality of life in patients with chronic intestinal failure: a randomized controlled trial : Clean version

    Journal of translational medicine

  2. Ergocalciferol increases appendicular skeletal muscle mass index in humans (chronic intestinal failure and vitamin D deficiency) (p < 0.05).

    “Compared with the control group, the vitamin D group showed clinically meaningful improvements in the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, handgrip strength, 6-meter walking speed”

    Human trialchronic intestinal failure and vitamin D deficiency600,000 units every two weeks10 weeksn = 84

    Effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal muscle function and quality of life in patients with chronic intestinal failure: a randomized controlled trial : Clean version

    Journal of translational medicine

Pain

downin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol decreases pain in humans.

    “Additionally, both VAS and ODI scores significantly decreased after vitamin D2 treatment (p < 0.001 for both), indicating improvements in pain and disability.”

    Human trial6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

  2. Ergocalciferol decreases pain in humans (p < 0.001).

    “Oswestry disability index (p < 0.001), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores (p < 0.001).”

    Human trial40,000 IU weekly6 monthsn = 115

    Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Muscle Mass, Physical Function, and Quality of Life in Patients With Degenerative Lumbar Disease

    Clinical and translational science

Grip strength

no changein humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol showed no clear effect on grip strength in humans (between fixed-dose and severity-dependent groups) (P > .05).

    “Muscle strength, gait speed, and serum insulin-like growth factor-1 level, as the mediators of muscle cell growth, were not different between the two groups at 6 months (P > .05).”

    Human trialbetween fixed-dose and severity-dependent groups6 months

    A Comparison Between Severity-Dependent Protocol and Fixed-Dose Regimen of Oral Vitamin D Supplementation on Correction of Hypovitaminosis D Among Dialysis Patients

    Journal of renal nutrition : the official journal of the Council on Renal Nutrition of the National Kidney Foundation

C-reactive protein

downin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol decreases C-reactive protein in humans within-group change from baseline (Δ of -0.39 ± 1.30 mg/L).

    “The hsCRP level was significantly reduced in the vitamin D2 group (Δ of -0.39 ± 1.30 mg/L, p = .024) but not in the placebo group”

    Human trialwithin-group change from baseline40,000 IU/week12 weeksfemalesn = 39

    Effectiveness of vitamin D2 supplementation on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and other metabolic indices in menopausal Thai women: a randomized-controlled trial

    Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology

More on C-reactive protein

Accidental falls

no changein humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol showed no clear effect on accidental falls in humans (history of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/l) (0.39 versus 0.24, P = 0.28).

    “There was no significant difference in the number of falls (0.39 versus 0.24, t = 1.08, P = 0.28) or fallers (14 versus 11, P = 0.52) between two groups.”

    Human trialhistory of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/lintramuscular injection600,000 i.u.6 monthsn = 139

    Vitamin D supplementation improves neuromuscular function in older people who fall

    Age and ageing

Muscle strength

no changein humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol showed no clear effect on muscle strength in humans (history of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/l) (-10 N versus -2 N, t = -1.26, ns).

    “There was no significant difference in muscle strength change between groups (-10 N versus -2 N, t = -1.26, ns).”

    Human trialhistory of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/lintramuscular injection600,000 i.u.6 monthsn = 139

    Vitamin D supplementation improves neuromuscular function in older people who fall

    Age and ageing

Postural sway

upin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol improves postural sway in humans (history of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/l) (+0.0025 versus -0.0138, t = 2.35, P < 0.02).

    “and postural sway (+0.0025 versus -0.0138, t = 2.35, P < 0.02).”

    Human trialhistory of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/lintramuscular injection600,000 i.u.6 monthsn = 139

    Vitamin D supplementation improves neuromuscular function in older people who fall

    Age and ageing

Choice reaction time

upin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol improves choice reaction time in humans (history of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/l) (-0.06 s versus +0.41 s, t = -2.52, P < 0.01).

    “Similar changes were observed for CRT (-0.06 s versus +0.41 s, t = -2.52, P < 0.01)”

    Human trialhistory of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/lintramuscular injection600,000 i.u.6 monthsn = 139

    Vitamin D supplementation improves neuromuscular function in older people who fall

    Age and ageing

Aggregate functional performance time

upin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol improves aggregate functional performance time in humans (history of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/l) (+6.6 s versus -2.0 s, t = 2.80, P < 0.05).

    “AFPT deteriorated in the control group and improved in the intervention group, representing a significant difference between groups (+6.6 s versus -2.0 s, t = 2.80, P < 0.05).”

    Human trialhistory of falls and 25-hydroxyvitamin D </=12 microg/lintramuscular injection600,000 i.u.6 monthsn = 139

    Vitamin D supplementation improves neuromuscular function in older people who fall

    Age and ageing

All 16

What is Ergocalciferol linked with?

5

Studies link Ergocalciferol with 5 measures, most often non-HDL cholesterol (1 study), VDR (1) and leptin (1).

Non-HDL cholesterol

downin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol is associated with non-HDL cholesterol in humans (r=-0.33, p=0.042).

    “and a negative correlation with non-HDL cholesterol in women (r=-0.33, p=0.042)”

    Humansserumfemales

    Associations between vitamin D2 and metabolic indices in institutionalized older adults -a cross-sectional study

    Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society

More on Non-HDL cholesterol

VDR

upin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol is associated with VDR in humans (r=0.37, p<0.001).

    “and VDR (r=0.37, p<0.001)”

    Humansn = 95

    Associations between vitamin D2 and metabolic indices in institutionalized older adults -a cross-sectional study

    Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society

More on VDR

Leptin

upin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol is associated with leptin in humans (r=0.22, p=0.034).

    “leptin (r=0.22, p=0.034)”

    Humansserumn = 95

    Associations between vitamin D2 and metabolic indices in institutionalized older adults -a cross-sectional study

    Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society

More on Leptin

Adiponectin

upin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol is associated with adiponectin in humans (r=0.41, p<0.001).

    “adiponectin (r=0.41, p<0.001)”

    Humansserumn = 95

    Associations between vitamin D2 and metabolic indices in institutionalized older adults -a cross-sectional study

    Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society

More on Adiponectin

Insulin

upin humans1

1 study

  1. Ergocalciferol is associated with insulin in humans (r=0.87, p<0.001).

    “Serum VD2 showed significant positive correlations with insulin (r=0.87, p<0.001)”

    Humansserumn = 95

    Associations between vitamin D2 and metabolic indices in institutionalized older adults -a cross-sectional study

    Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society

More on Insulin

Has Ergocalciferol been tested in people?

0 about aging, of 26

Yes: 8 trials and 2 observational studies in people have been published, and 26 trials are registered.

Approved

  • FDA Drisdol

    Jan 11, 1941Hypoparathyroidism, Rickets, hypophosphatemia

Repurposing

All 29

In trials

  • Chronic renal insufficiency

    Phase 4Status unknown1 trial

Stopped

  • NCT01312441TerminatedVitamin D deficiency

    Low enrollment

  • NCT05259527SuspendedNeuralgia

    Insufficient staffing

  • NCT03066817SuspendedMultiple trauma

    Waiting for annual IRB progress report to be reviewed and approved

Trial sponsors

Latest

Nov 2025: 1Dec 2025: 1Jan 2026: 0Feb 2026: 1Mar 2026: 0Apr 2026: 0May 2026: 0Jun 2026: 0Jul 2026: 0Aug 2026: 0Sep 2026: 0Oct 2026: 03 papers in 12 months

See all 34

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