Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
BRAND NAME: Caltrate 600, Caltrate 600 Plus D, Caltrate 600 Plus
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the body. Calcium is an important structural component of bone and teeth and also is necessary for the normal function of all muscles (skeletal, heart, and smooth muscles) and nerves as well as the normal clotting of blood. Prolonged, inadequate intake of calcium causes weak bones (osteoporosis). Products containing calcium carbonate are used to increase the intake of calcium in individuals whose diets are low in calcium. The National Institutes of Health recommend 1000 to 1500 mg of calcium per day as part of a regimen to prevent the loss of bone that is associated with aging. Calcium carbonate products contain 40% calcium (absorbable calcium). Therefore, a 1500 mg tablet of calcium carbonate provides 600 mg of calcium.
PRESCRIPTION: no
GENERIC AVAILABLE: yes
PREPARATIONS: Caltrate 600 tablets (600 mg calcium); Caltrate 600 plus D tablets (600 mg calcium plus 200 IU vitamin D), Caltrate 600 plus tablets (600 mg calcium plus 200 IU vitamin D and other minerals); Caltrate 600 chewable tablets.
STORAGE:Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 2-25°C (36-77°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Calcium-containing products are used as part of a regimen for preventing and treating osteoporosis in individuals with low levels of calcium in their diets. Such regimens also may include vitamin D, estrogen replacement therapy, and specific medications for treating osteoporosis, for example, alendronate.
DOSING: The usual recommended dose of Caltrate for adults is one tablet twice a day with meals.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:Calcium products bind to quinolone (e.g., Ciprofloxacin) and tetracycline (e.g., Sumycin) antibiotics in the intestine and can prevent their absorption into the body. To prevent this interaction, doses of quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics should be separated by three or more hours from doses of calcium.
Calcium carbonate-containing products reduce acidity in the stomach, though there may be a rebound phenomenon which causes a greater than normal amount of acid to be produced after the initial acid-reducing effects of the calcium wear off. The reduction of acid decreases the absorption of iron from the intestine. Therefore, doses of calcium and iron should be separated by a several hours.
Calcium products also bind to Kayexalate (a drug used to treat high levels of potassium) in the intestine and, therefore, may interfere with the action of Kayexalate. Doses of Kayexalate and calcium products should be separated by several hours.
PREGNANCY:Use of calcium supplements during pregnancy appears to be safe, but such use should be done under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
NURSING MOTHERS:
Calcium supplements are safe when used by nursing mothers.
SIDE EFFECTS: Calcium products rarely cause an upset stomach. However, excessive intake or absorption of calcium may lead to increased levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcemia) which may cause nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, dry mouth and thirst. Severe hypercalcemia may cause confusion, delirium, stupor and coma.
Learn about osteoporosis, a condition characterized by the loss of bone density, which leads to an increased risk of bone fracture. Unless one experiences a fracture, a person may have osteoporosis for decades without knowing it. Treatment for osteoporosis may involve medications that stop bone loss and increase bone strength and bone formation, as well as quitting smoking, regular exercise, cutting back on alcohol intake, and eating a calcium- and vitamin D-rich balanced diet.
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. Causes of gastritis include drinking too much alcohol, medications such as NSAIDs, ibuprofen, aspirin, H. pylori infection, severe infections, burns, anemia, and autoimmune disorders. Gastritis is diagnosed with endoscopy, blood tests, or stool tests. Treatment depends upon the cause of gastritis.
Heartburn is a burning sensation experienced from acid reflux (GERD). Symptoms of heartburn include chest pain, burning in the throat, difficulty swallowing, the feeling of food sticking in the throat, and a burning feeling in the chest. Causes of heartburn include dietary habits, lifestyle habits, and medical causes. Treatments for heartburn include lifestyle changes, OTC medication, prescription medication, and surgery.
In hypoparathyroidism, the parathyroid gland does not produce enough parathyroid hormone. Causes of hypoparathyroidism include injury to the parathyroid glands, autoimmune disorder association, or may be present ab birth. Symptoms of hypoparathyroidism include: tingling fingers, toes, and lips, brittle nails, dry, coarse skin, dry hair; memory loss, headaches, severe muscle cramps, cataracts, malformed teeth, and convulsions. Treatment of hypoparathyroidism is to restore the calcium and phosphorus to normal levels in the body.
Despite its name, heartburn has nothing to do with the heart (although some
of the symptoms are similar to a heart attack). Heartburn is an irritation of
the esophagus caused by acid that refluxes (comes up) from the stomach.
Heartburn is also a symptom of more serious gastroesophageal reflux disease, or
GERD.
When swallowing, food passes down the throat and through the esophagus to the
stomach. Normally, a muscular valve called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
opens to allow food into the stomach (or to permit belching); then it closes
again. Then the stomach releases strong acids to help break down the food. But
if the lower esophageal sphincter opens too often or does not close tight
enough, stomach acid can reflux or seep back into the esophagus, damaging it and
causing the burning sensation we know as heartburn.
Not only can stomach acid in the esophagus cause heartburn, but it can also
cause ulcers, strictur...
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