Calcium Supplements, Oral KAL-see-um

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: nutritional supplement

Generic and brand names: calcium carbonate, oral; calcium citrate, oral; calcium glubionate, oral; calcium gluconate, oral; calcium lactate, oral; calcium supplements, oral; tribasic calcium phosphate, oral; Alcalak; Cal-Carb Forte; Cal Carb HD; Cal-Citrate; Cal-Gest; Cal-Guard; Cal-Mint; Cal-Plus; Calci-Chew; Calci-Mix; Calciday; Calcionate; Calcium 600; Caltrate; Caltrate-600; Chooz; Citracal; Florical; Gencalc 600; Nephro-Calci; Neo-Calglucon; Os-Cal 500; Oysco 500; Oyst-Cal-500; Oyster Shell Calcium-500; Oystercal 500; Posture; Tums 600 (There may be other brand names for this medicine.)

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to provide your body with calcium when it is lacking in your diet or when you need extra calcium to prevent osteoporosis.

It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• an allergic reaction to any medicine
• heart problems or an irregular heartbeat
• kidney stones
• phenylketonuria (PKU). Some products contain phenylalanine.
• thyroid or parathyroid disease

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I take it?

Take the tablets with food or within 1 hour of meals unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.

Other medicines may not work properly if you take them at the same time as your calcium supplement. Take calcium supplements at least 2 hours before or after other medicines, or as instructed by your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist about this.

If you are taking chewable tablets, chew them thoroughly and then drink a glass of water.

Take liquid calcium before meals with water or fruit juice.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb the calcium. Some products may contain vitamin D as well as calcium. Talk with your pharmacist if you are not sure which product is best for you.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, severe drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, decreased urination.

What should I watch out for?

Ask your healthcare provider whether you can take other medicines that contain calcium or vitamin D.

Follow any special diet prescribed by your healthcare provider. Ask which foods to avoid eating before and after you take this medicine. Do not drink a lot of alcohol or coffee, tea, or sodas that contain caffeine.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Painful or increased urination; severe constipation; irregular heartbeat; drowsiness; headache; dry mouth or metallic taste in your mouth; nausea or vomiting; loss of appetite; weakness; confusion or unusual behavior.

Other: Constipation, bloating, gas.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antacids or other products containing calcium (check with your pharmacist)
• antibiotics such as norfloxacin (Noroxin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), ofloxacin (Floxin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin (Avelox), doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Monodox, Vibramycin), minocycline (Minocin), and tetracycline
• antifungals such as itraconazole (Sporanox) and ketoconazole (Nizoral)
• calcium channel blockers such as verapamil (Calan, Covera-HS, Isoptin, Verelan), diltiazem (Cartia XT, Cardizem, Tiazac), and nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• diuretics such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), hydroflumethiazide (Saluron), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), indapamide, and chlorthalidone (Thalitone)
• thyroid medicine such as levothyroxine (Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid), liothyronine (Cytomel, Triostat), liotrix (Thyrolar), and thyroid (Armour Thyroid)
• medicines to treat bone loss such as alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), ibandronate (Boniva), risedronate (Actonel), and tiludronate (Skelid) (Take your calcium supplement at the appropriate time after these medicines as instructed by your healthcare provider or pharmacist.)
• medicines to treat HIV such as atazanavir (Reyataz), fosamprenavir (Lexiva), indinavir (Crixivan), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), nelfinavir (Viracept), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus)
• phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine (Compro), perphenazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine
• phenytoin (Dilantin)
• supplements or multivitamins that contain zinc or iron
• trientine (Syprine)

Do not drink alcohol while you are receiving this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.