Calcium Carbonate |
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Basic Information
Brand names:
Calcium Carbonate Chewable Tablets
BioCal(R)
Cal Sup(R)
Os-Cal 500(R)
Suplical(R)
Theracal(R)
Tums(R)
Tums E-X(R)
Calcium Carbonate Tablets
BioCal(R)
Caltrate(R)
Os-Cal 500(R)
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 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 with 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
| Age |
RDA |
| 0-6 months |
360mg |
| 6-12 months |
540mg |
| 1-10 years |
800mg |
| 11-18 years |
1,000mg |
| 18+ years |
800mg |
| Pregnant |
+400mg |
| Lactating |
+400mg |
| Different types of calcium supplements contain more available |
| calcium (also called ELEMENTAL CALCIUM) than others. To |
| provide 1,000mg of available calcium, you must take: |
|
|
4 tablets/day of 625mg calcium carbonate |
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4 tablets/day of 650mg calcium carbonate |
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4 tablets/day of 750mg calcium carbonate |
|
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3 tablets/day of 835mg calcium carbonate |
|
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2 tablets/day of 1,250mg calcium carbonate |
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2 tablets/day of 1,500mg calcium carbonate |
| Check contents of product you choose to determine how many |
| tablets are needed to provide the amount of calcium you require. |
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
preparation.
Exercise, a balanced diet, calcium from natural sources or
supplements and estrogens are important in treating and
preventing osteoporosis.
Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Chewable tablets: Chew well before swallowing.
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 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.
Some calcium carbonate is derived from oyster shells. Calcium
carbonate derived from this source is NOT recommended!
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 |
|
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| Early signs of too much calcium in blood: |
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| 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.
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