Accrete D3 (Accrete D3 One a Day 1000 mg / 880 IU Chewable Tablets) has been out of stock for a couple of months now. Accrete D3 One a Day is one of the most commonly prescribed calcium/vitamin D3 supplements in the community. By now with certainty, all pharmacies ran out of Accrette D3 with patients seeking alternative supplements. This post reviews Accrete D3 alternatives. Throughout this post I will be using the short name of Accrete D3 in reference to its full name, Accrete D3 One a Day chewable tablets. Accrete D3 comes also in form of tablets.
What is Accrete D3?
Accrete D3 Once a Day is a supplement that contains Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and calcium as its main active ingredients. The exact composition of each chewable Accrete D3 tablet is as follows (emc, 2023):
- 1,000 mg calcium (as calcium carbonate) and
- 22 micrograms cholecalciferol (vitamin D3 equivalent to 880 IU as concentrate powder form)
What is Accrete D3 used for?
Accrete D3 is commonly used to treat and prevent Vitamin D and calcium deficiency, which can occur when the body does not produce enough Vitamin D naturally or when there is an insufficient intake of Vitamin D through the diet. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a range of health problems, including bone disorders, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of certain diseases.
Vitamin D3 is a form of vitamin D that is produced naturally in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It plays an important role in regulating calcium and phosphorus levels in the body, which are essential for the growth and maintenance of healthy bones, teeth, and muscles.
One advantage over many other Vitamin D/calcium supplements is that Accrete D3 is taken once daily.
Can you buy Accrete D3 over the counter?
Accrete D3 Once a Day as all other common Vitamin D/calcium supplements is a pharmacy-only medication (P). P medicines can be sold to the public from registered chemists including online pharmacies.
What is the recommended daily dose of vitamin D?
In the UK, the recommended daily intake of Vitamin D depends on the age group.
For most adults and children aged 1 year and above, the recommended daily intake of Vitamin D is 10 micrograms (mcg) or 400 International Units (IU).
However, some groups of people may have higher Vitamin D requirements, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with darker skin, and those who are housebound or live in care homes.
In these cases, the NHS recommends a higher daily intake of Vitamin D, which ranges from 10 to 25 mcg (400 to 1000 IU) per day, depending on the individual’s age and medical conditions.
Accrete D3 alternatives: chewable tablets
The best Accrete D3 alternatives should contain the same amount of active ingredients (Vitamin D3 and calcium) and come in the same form (chewable tablets).
1. The best Accrete D3 alternative: TheiCal-D3
TheiCal-D3 chewable tablets are the best Accrete D3 alternative. TheiCal-D3 chewable tablets contain the same active ingredients found in Accrete D3 Once a Day, namely 1000mg of calcium and 880 units of vitamin D3 (the same quantity of both ingredients per tablet).
The recommended dose for TheiCal-D3 chewable tablets is 1 tablet daily, the same dose recommended with Accrete D3.
2. Calcichew D3 tablets
Calcichew is another supplement brand of vitamin d/calcium. Calcichew D3 tablets 1000mg/800iu contain the same active ingredients which are found in Accrete D3 Once a Day tablets. The small difference between Accrete D3 and Calcichew D3 comes from the amount of the main active ingredient (vitamin d3) found in each supplement.
Accrete D3 contains 880 units (22 micrograms) of vitamin D3, whereas – contains 800 units (20 micrograms) of vitamin d3 per tablet.
It is recommended to take one Calcichew D3 tablet once daily (same dose).
3. Calci-D chewable tablets as Accrete D3 alternative
Calci-D chewable tablets contain the same active ingredients found in Accrete D3.
Each Calci-D chewable tablet contains 2500mg calcium carbonate (equivalent to 1000mg calcium) and 1000 units (equivalent to 25 micrograms) of cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3).
Calci-D chewable tablets contain slightly more Vitamin D3 than Accrete D3 which is a perfectly acceptable dose of this vitamin.
Calci-D chewable tablets are taken once daily.
4. Kalcipos-D chewable tablets
Kalcipos-D chewable tablets are the last option for people seeking once-daily vitamin d/calcium supplements.
Each Kalcipos-D chewable tablet contains calcium carbonate equivalent to 500 mg calcium, cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 800 IU (20 micrograms), thus the amount of both active ingredients is less than in Accrete D3 Once a Day tablets.
Notably, the amount of calcium in Kalcipos-D is less than the usually recommended daily intake and thus Kalcipos-D is mainly recommended to patients with need of D-vitamin substitution but with a dietary intake of calcium of 500 mg-1000 mg per day.
Other popular vitamin D/calcium supplements which can be considered as Accrete D3 alternatives:
5. Evacal D3 chewable tablets
Evacal D3 Chewable Tablets contain 1500mg of calcium carbonate and 400 units of colecalciferol (vitamin d3). Evacal D3 Chewable Tablets are usually taken twice a day.
6. Adcal -D3 chewable tablets
Adcal-D3 chewable tablets contain:
- Calcium carbonate: 1500mg equivalent to 600mg of elemental calcium
- Colecalciferol: 400iu equivalent to 10 micrograms of vitamin D3
Adcal-D3 chewable tablets come in two different flavours, lemon and ‘Tutti-Frutti’.
Accrete D3 alternatives: tablets
A couple of vitamin d/calcium supplements which come in form of film-coated tablets can be considered as Accrete D3 Once a Day alternatives.
7. Accrete D3 film-coated tablets
Acreete D3 tablets contain contains 600 mg of calcium (as calcium carbonate 1500 mg) and 10 micrograms of cholecalciferol (equivalent to 400 units of vitamin D3). The film-coated tablet is taken without chewing of the tablet,
Accrete D3 film-coated tablets are usually taken twice a day.
8. Adcal-D3 caplets
Adcal D3-caplets contain calcium carbonate 750 mg and 200 units of vitamin d3. The content of both calcium and vitamin D3 is lower to Accrete D3 Once a Day chewable tablets. It is recommended to take Adcal-D3 caplets twice a day.
9. Accrete D3 – online alternatives
As previously mentioned, the majority of calcium/vitamin D3 supplements can be purchased from pharmacies without a prescription. The table below show examples of calcium/vitamin d3 which can also be considered as alternatives to Accrete D3 during the recent shortage.
Summary
Patients who seek Accrete D3 alternatives have a good choice of vitamin D and calcium supplements. The best alternative to Accrete D3 Once a Day is TheiCal-D3 chewable tablet which comes in the same form and strength and formulation.
Related post: How to change a nominated pharmacy?.
References
Emc (2023). SmPC: Accrete D3 One a Day 1000 mg / 880 IU Chewable Tablets. Available at: https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/8506/smpc Accessed on 27/03/2023
