Calcium Salts tablets, chewable or effervescent tablets
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What are tablets of calcium salts?
CALCIUM SALTS (PhosLo®, Citracal®, and many others) are needed by the body to maintain normal nerve, muscle, bone, blood, and tissue structure and function. Calcium supplements treat or prevent calcium deficiency in patients whose calcium needs are greater than the amounts supplied by a normal diet (most often children, teenagers, pregnant or nursing women, or post-menopausal women). Calcium helps prevent the bone disease osteoporosis, in which bones become porous and easily broken. Calcium salts also help remove too much potassium or magnesium from the body; to bind phosphate during dialysis; or to improve heart function. Some calcium salts are also used as antacids. Generic tablets of calcium salts are available.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• dehydration
• diarrhea
• digitalis poisoning
• heart rhythm problems
• sarcoidosis
• too much calcium in the blood or urine, or history of stones in the urine
• too much phosphate in the blood
• too much vitamin D
• under-active parathyroid
• an unusual or allergic reaction to calcium, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
How should I take this medicine?
Take calcium tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a full glass of water. Thoroughly chew or crush the chewable tablets before swallowing. Dissolve effervescent tablets in a glass of water before swallowing. Take on an empty stomach, 1 to 1.5 hours after meals, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you otherwise. However, patients with achlorhydria (lack of stomach acid) should take this medication with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take more than the prescribed dose.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.What drug(s) may interact with calcium salts?
• ammonium chloride
• aspirin and aspirin-like medicines
• bisacodyl
• certain antibiotics
• etidronate
• gallium
• ketoconazole
• magnesium salts
• medicines for angina or high blood pressure
• heart medicine such as digoxin
• methenamine
• phenytoin
• quinidine
• sodium phosphate
• sucralfate
• verapamil
• water pills
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking calcium salts?
Calcium supplementation is not a suitable substitute for a well-balanced diet and program of exercise. Weight-bearing exercise (walking, jogging, dancing, or aerobics) is essential to maintaining strong bones. Calcium is a normal part of a regular diet. Foods that contain significant amounts of calcium include: milk, cheese, yogurt, sardines, salmon, shrimp, and tofu (bean curd). Ask your prescriber or health care professional about the need to take extra calcium.
The absorption of calcium can be reduced if you take it with high-fiber foods, large amounts of alcohol or drinks containing caffeine. Do not take calcium salts within 2 hours of any other medication taken by mouth.
Do not use bonemeal or dolomite as a source of calcium, they can contain dangerous levels of lead.
What side effects may I notice from taking calcium salts?
Serious side effects from calcium salts are uncommon but can occur with large doses, long-term use, or in patients with kidney disease.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• confusion
• constipation
• depression
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• increased thirst
• increased volume of urine or frequency in passing urine
• irregular heartbeat
• loss of appetite
• lower back pain or pain and difficulty passing urine
• unusual tiredness or weakness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• stomach upset
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) is the daily amount of a vitamin or mineral needed to supply adequate nutrition for healthy persons. The RDA is different for each group of people based on age, physical state (i.e. pregancy), and sex. Your needs can be met by the foods you eat, by taking a supplement, or the two of these together. Consult your health care professional if you have questions regarding calcium in the diet and your calcium needs. The RDA for calcium is:
Group
Post-menopausal women: 1000—1500 mg
Pregnant or breast-feeding females: 1200 mg
Adults and adolescents: 800—1200 mg
Children 1—10 years old: 500—800 mg
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
