Are Vitamin D Tablets and Oil Drops Equally Effective in Raising S-25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations? A Post-Hoc Analysis of an Observational Study on Immunodeficient Patients

Background: Vitamin D supplements are available as tablets or oil drops, but there is no consensus as to whether either of these preparations is more effective than the other.

Methods: We compared the effectiveness of tablets versus oil in raising S-25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25-OHD) in plasma by re-analyzing data from a previously performed observational study in which immunodeficient patients with S-25-OHD concentrations <75 nmol/L were randomly prescribed vitamin D tablets (1600 IU/day) or vitamin D oil-drops (1500 IU/day) for twelve months. Tablets and oil were compared for the effect on S-25-OHD concentrations after 3-5 months and antibiotic use.

Results: Data on S-25-OHD after ≥ 3 months was available for 137 patients treated with tablets and 69 with oil drops. Both groups exhibited a significant increase in S-25-OHD-oil-drops from 55 to 86 nmol/L and tablets from 52 to 87 nmol/L-with no difference between groups ( = 0.77). In a subgroup of patients without immunoglobulin replacement, vitamin D supplementation with oil drops ( = 34) but not with tablets ( = 60) resulted in significantly lower antibiotic administration ( < 0.001 and = 0.58).

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation with tablets and oil drops were equally efficient in raising S-25-OHD concentrations. Only oil drops caused a reduction in antibiotic consumption in immuno-deficient patients who did not receive immunoglobulin replacement.