DECARA is a high-dosage, pharmaceutical grade vitamin D3 supplement, available as a 25,000 IU vegicap, 50,000 IU softgel, or 50,000 IU softgel with 200mcg vitamin K2.
Transferring your prescription to Marley Drug is easy. Fill out a simple form, and we will take it from there. All orders are confirmed with a phone call before shipping.
Order DECARA on our site. During checkout you're given a choice for the prescription delivery. You can ask your physician to send the prescription to Marley Drug, or we can contact them on your behalf. Either way we do our best to make the process easy for you.
Vitamin D helps our body absorb calcium, one of the main building block of our bones. As a result, having enough vitamin D is important for our bone health and overall health.
Vitamin D is made by our bodies (through sunlight exposure) as well as found in the food we eat. It can also be found in multivitamins and supplements.
The two forms of vitamin D in supplements are vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). Both forms increase vitamin D in our blood, but vitamin D3 might raise it higher and for longer than D2.
Because vitamin D is fat soluble, its best to take your supplement with a meal or snack that includes some fat.
To determine if you have enough vitamin D, your healthcare provider will want you to do a blood test to look at the levels of 25(OH)D.
Why 25(OH)D? Vitamin D is processed into 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], also known as calcidiol. This is later converts again by another enzyme in our kidney 1,25(OH)2D—also known as calcitriol, which is the active hormone. Calcitriol, or 1,25(OH)2D levels typically only decrease when vitamin D deficiency is severe, which is why 25(OH)D is a better indicator of vitamin D levels.
Optimal concentations of 25(OH)D for bone and general health have not been well establish because they can vary by stage in life, by race and ethnicity, and many other factors.
| nmol/L* | ng/mL* | Health status |
|---|---|---|
| <30 | <12 | Associated with vitamin D deficiency, which can lead to rickets in infants and children and osteomalacia in adults |
| 30 to <50 | 12 to <20 | Generally considered inadequate for bone and overall health in healthy individuals |
| ≥50 | ≥20 | Generally considered adequate for bone and overall health in healthy individuals |
| >125 | >50 | Linked to potential adverse effects, particularly at >150 nmol/L (>60 ng/mL) |
What happens if I don't get enough vitamin D?
In children, vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, which is a disease where the bones become soft, weak, deformed, and painful.
In teens and adults, vitamin D deficiency causes osteomalacia, which is a condition where bones can become soft and deformed because they don’t have enough calcium and phosphorus. Symptoms include bone pain and weakness.
Am I getting enough vitamin D?
Roughly 1 in 4 Americans have low vitamin D levels that at too low or inadequate for bone and overall health.
Because you get vitamin D from food, sunshine, and dietary supplements, one way to know if you’re getting enough is a blood test that measures the amount of vitamin D in your blood.
According to the National Institute of Health:
What's the difference between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3?
There are two main types of vitamin D supplements: D2 and D3. Both are absorbed by your body, but research shows that vitamin D3 is more effective at raising vitamin D levels.
While the body can absorb vitamin D2, it's generally less efficiently absorbed than vitamin D3, making it the preferred form for supplements and dietary sources.
What is a good indicator of vitamin D levels?
A blood test is the most reliable way to determine if you have a vitamin D deficiency. This test measures the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) in your blood.
Normal vitamin D levels are typically considered to be between 30 and 100 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). However, some healthcare providers may use different reference ranges.
Why combine vitamin D3 with vitamin K2?
Vitamin D3 can help your body absorb more calcium and vitamin K2 can help your body transport this calcium to your bones and teeth.
By combining these two supplements together it is thought that you can get 'instruct' the extra calcium you are absorbing to go to your bones and teeth, rather than by being absorbed elsewhere like your arteries and other soft tissues in your body.
What is cholecalciferol?
Cholecalciferol is the same as vitamin D3. It is a prohormone, which means its a hormone but in the inactive form.
Cholecalciferol is converted in our liver by an enzyme called 25-hydroylase to 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 which is transported to our kidneys where another enzyme called 1-alpha-hydroxylase converts it to calcitriol. Calcitriol is the biologically active hormone. What calcitriol does is it binds to and activates the vitamin D receptor in the nucleus of cells which in turn increases the expression of many genes.
Because this final step of converting vitamin D3 to calcitriol takes place in the kidney, individuals with chronic kidney disease may require supplementation with active forms of vitamin D3 as opposed to an inactive form like cholecalciferol.
What is DECARA used for?
DECARA contains vitamin D3, a dietary supplement prescribed for individuals with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. It is widely utilize in clinical practice, and is also used for numerous off-label issues. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider to see if DECARA is right for you.
What is the active ingredient in DECARA?
The active ingredient is cholecalciferol, commonly known as vitamin D3.
Do I require a prescription for DECARA Vitamin D3?
Yes. The DECARA Vitamin D3 we offer is prescription grade and FDA-approved. As a result, you require a prescription for this product.
Can you ship DECARA to all 50 states?
Yes. Marley Drug can dispense and ship medications to all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and several U.S. territories (Guam, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands).
How do I transfer my DECARA prescription to Marley Drug?
If you have an active prescription at another pharmacy you can fill out this form online, or call 800-810-7790 and we can transfer the prescription for you on your behalf after we ask you a few questions.
How long will it take to receive my DECARA order?
Once we receive your prescription we will ship it out right away through USPS First Class Mail This usually takes 2-3 business day and is free for you.
If you need your order faster we offer USPS Priority Delivery Express which takes 1-2 business days and will cost you an additional $22.75.
