Ergocalciferol is a vitamin found in many supplement products. It is synthesized by some plants in the presence of UVB light.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 5 references
For its activity, ergocalciferol is required to be transformed to its major active circulating hydroxylated metabolite and transported to the target organs in order to bind to its target, the vitamin D receptor.
The activation of the vitamin D receptor is part of the vitamin D endocrine system and it is described by the production of a change in the transcription rates of the vitamin D receptor target genes. The target genes in the DNA affected by the presence of ergocalciferol are called vitamin D response elements which are dependent on co-modulators.
The vitamin D receptor is a transcription factor and member of the steroid hormone nuclear receptor family. It presents a DNA binding domain (VDRE) that, when activated, recruits coregulatory complexes to regulate the genomic activity.
Additionally, ergocalciferol presents nongenomic effects such as the stimulation of intestinal calcium transport via transcaltachia.
- Primary indication
- Ergocalciferol is indicated for the treatment of hypoparathyroidism, refractory rickets, and familial hypophosphatemia.Curator reviewed · 6 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C28H44O · 396.6484 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1996 · United States, 1974
- Also known as
- Activated ergosterol · Ercalciol · Oleovitamin D2 · Viosterol · Vitamin D 2
- Brand names
Resolves to
MECHNRXZTMCUDQ-RKHKHRCZSA-NSMILESCC(C)[C@@H](C)\C=C\[C@@H](C)[C@@]1([H])CC[C@@]2([H])\C(CCC[C@]12C)=C\C=C1\C[C@@H](O)CCC1=CWhat you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Ergocalciferol, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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