Calcium Gluconate

Basic Information

Brand name:
Calcium Gluconate Chewable Tablets
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? Some forms, yes; others, no

NATURAL SOURCES

Almonds
Brazil nuts
Caviar
Cheese
Kelp
Milk
Milk products
Molasses
Salmon, canned
Sardines, canned
Shrimp
Soybeans
Tofu
Turnip greens
Yogurt

REASONS TO USE

Helps prevent osteoporosis in older people. Treats calcium depletion in people with hypoparathyroidism, osteomalacia, rickets. Treats low-calcium levels in people taking anti-convulsant medication. Treats tetany (severe muscle spasms) caused by insect bites, sensitivity reactions, cardiac arrest, lead poisoning. Is used as an antidote to magnesium poisoning. Prevents muscle cramps in some people. Promotes normal growth and development. Builds bones and teeth. Maintains bone density and strength. Buffers acid in stomach and acts as antacid. Helps regulate heartbeat, blood clotting, muscle contraction. Treats neonatal hypocalcemia. Promotes storage and release of some body hormones. Promotes use of amino acids. Lowers phosphate concentrations in people with chronic kidney disease.

UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS

Helps prevent insomnia and anxiety (acts as a natural tranquilizer). Helps prevent hypertension. Treats allergies. Decreases likelihood of hardening of arteries. Treats leg cramps. Treats diabetes. Treats throat spasms.

WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?

Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake or increased nutritional requirements or who does not like or consume milk products. People allergic to milk and milk products or who don't tolerate them well. Older people (over 55 years), particularly women. Women throughout adult life, especially during pregnancy and lactation, but not limited to these times. Those who abuse alcohol or other drugs. People who have a chronic wasting illness, excess stress for long periods or who have recently undergone surgery. Those with a portion of the gastrointestinal tract surgically removed. People with recent severe burns or injuries.

DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS

Osteoporosis (late symptoms): frequent fractures in spine and other bones, deformed spinal column with humps, loss of height Osteomalacia: frequent fractures Muscle contractions Convulsive seizures Muscle cramps Low backache

UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS

Uncontrollable temper outbursts

LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY

24-hour urine collection to measure calcium levels (Sulkowitch) Serum-calcium levels Imaging procedures to scan for bone density (more reliable than above tests)

DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION

What this mineral does:

• Participates in metabolic functions necessary for normal activity of nervous, muscular, skeletal systems.
• Plays important role in normal heart function, kidney function, blood clotting, blood-vessel integrity.
• Helps utilization of vitamin B-12.

  Miscellaneous information:
  

• Bones serve as storage site for calcium in the body. There is a constant interchange between calcium in bone and the bloodstream.
• Foods rich in calcium (or supplements) help maintain the balance between bone needs and blood needs.
• Don't discard outer parts of vegetables during food preparations.
• Exercise, a balanced diet, calcium from natural sources or supplements and estrogens are important in treating and preventing osteoporosis.

  Available as:
  

• Chewable tablets: Chew well before swallowing.
• Injectable forms are administered by doctor or nurse.

  WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

  Don't take if you:
  

• Are allergic to calcium or antacids.
• Have kidney stones.
• Have a high blood-calcium level.
• Have sarcoidosis.

  Consult your doctor if you have:
  

• Kidney disease.
• Chronic constipation, colitis, diarrhea.
• Stomach or intestinal bleeding.
• Irregular heartbeat.

  Over age 55:
  

• Adverse reactions and side effects are more likely.
• Diarrhea or constipation are particularly likely.

  Pregnancy:
  

• May need extra calcium. Consult doctor about supplements.
• Don't take megadoses.

  Breast-feeding:
  Drug passes into milk. Consult doctor about need for
  supplements.
  

• Don't take megadoses.

  Effect on lab tests:
  

• Serum-amylase and serum 11-hydroxycorticosteroid concentrations can be increased.
• Decreases serum-phosphate concentration with excessive, prolonged use.

  Storage:
  

• Store in cool, dry area away from direct light, but don't freeze.
• Store safely out of reach of children.
• Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture may change action of mineral.

  Others:
  

• Dolomite or bone meal are probably UNSAFE sources of calcium because they contain lead.
• Avoid taking calcium within 1 or 2 hours of meals or ingestion of other medicines, if possible.

  OVERDOSE/TOXICITY

  Signs and symptoms:
  Confusion, high blood pressure, increased sensitivity of eyes
  and skin to light, increased thirst, slow or irregular
  heartbeat, depression, bone or muscle pain, nausea, vomiting,
  skin itching, skin rash, increased urination.
  

  What to do:
  

• For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue mineral, and consult doctor immediately. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS section below.
• For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest Poison Control Center.

  ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

  Reaction or effect	What to do
  EARLY SIGNS OF TOO MUCH CALCIUM IN BLOOD:
  Appetite loss Discontinue.	Call doctor when
  	convenient.
  Constipation Discontinue.	Call doctor when convenient.
  Drowsiness Discontinue.	Call doctor immediately.
  Dry mouth Discontinue.	Call doctor when convenient.
  Headache Discontinue.	Call doctor when convenient.
  Metallic taste Discontinue.	Call doctor when convenient.
  Tiredness or weakness Discontinue.	Call doctor immediately.
  LATE SIGNS OF TOO MUCH CALCIUM IN BLOOD:
  Confusion Discontinue.	Call doctor immediately.
  Depression Discontinue.	Call doctor when convenient.
  High blood pressure Discontinue.	Call doctor immediately.
  Increased thirst Discontinue.	Call doctor when convenient.
  Increased urination Discontinue.	Call doctor when convenient.
  Muscle or bone pain Discontinue.	Call doctor immediately.
  Nausea Discontinue.	Call doctor immediately.
  Skin rash Discontinue.	Call doctor immediately.
  Slow or irregular heartbeat	Seek emergency treatment.
  Vomiting Discontinue.	Call doctor immediately.

  INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS

  Interacts with	Combined effect
  Digitalis preparations	Heartbeat irregularities.
  Iron supplements	Decreases absorption of iron
  	unless vitamin C is taken at
  	same time.
  Magnesium-containing medications	Increases blood level of both.
  or supplements
  Oral contraceptives and	May increase calcium
  estrogens	absorption.
  Potassium supplements	Increases chance of heartbeat
  	irregularities.
  Tetracyclines (oral)	Decreases absorption of
  	tetracycline.
  Vitamin A (megadoses)	Stimulates bone loss.
  Vitamin D (megadoses)	Excessively increases
  	absorption of calcium
  	supplements.

  INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

• Tobacco decreases absorption.
• Alcohol decreases absorption.

  Beverages
  

• Tea decreases absorption.
• Coffee decreases absorption.
• Don't take calcium with milk or other dairy products so your body can absorb the most calcium from food AND calcium supplement.

  Foods
  

• Avoid eating spinach, rhubarb, bran, whole-grain cereals, fresh fruits or fresh vegetables at same time you take calcium. They may prevent efficient absorption.