General information

Calcium is a mineral that is necessary for healthy bones and for several important functions in the human body. This medication is used to prevent or treat low blood calcium levels in people who do not get enough calcium from their diets. It may be used to treat conditions caused by low calcium levels such as bone loss (osteoporosis), weak bones (osteomalacia/rickets), decreased activity of the parathyroid gland (hypoparathyroidism), and a certain muscle disease (latent tetany). It may also be used in certain patients to make sure they are getting enough calcium (women who are pregnant, nursing, or postmenopausal, people taking certain medications such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, or prednisone).

Directions

Take Calcium Carbonate exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take this medication by mouth with food to increase its absorption by the body. Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Take it at the same time each day. Swallow the tablet with a full glass of water.

Precautions

Before taking Calcium Carbonate you should talk with your doctor if you have kidney disease, kidney stones, achlorhydria, parathyroid gland disorder, heart disease, disease of the pancreas, a certain lung disease (sarcoidosis).

Contraindications

Talk to your doctor before taking Calcium Carbonate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not take it without first talking to your doctor if you take other medications. Calcium can decrease the effects of many other medicines by binding to them or by changing the acidity of the stomach or the urine.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have dry mouth, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, gas, urinating more than usual, increased thirst, constipation, changes in your heart rate, hives, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing, itching, mental or mood changes, tiredness, bone or muscle pain. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: tetracycline antibiotic (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, demeclocycline, minocycline), bisphosphonates (pamidronate, ibandronate, tiludronate), H2 blockers (ranitidine, cimetidine, nizatidine, famotidine), proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole), thiazide diuretics (chlorthalidone, metolazone, chlorothiazide), digoxin, antacids, sotalol, levothyroxine, calcipotriene, ceftriaxone. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are confusion, decreased appetite, delirium, nausea, constipation, vomiting, stupor, coma.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light, heat and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.