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GENERIC NAME: CALCIUM SUPPLEMENTS - ORAL

Medication Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage

USES: Calcium supplements are used to ensure an adequate intake of calcium during important periods of bone growth such as in childhood, during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. In adults, calcium is used to prevent osteoporosis (deterioration of bone).

HOW TO USE: Take with a large glass of water during or after a meal. Use as directed. If you are using a chewable product, it must be chewed well before swallowing. If you are using an effervescent tablet, it must be dissolved in a glass of cold water or juice before taking it. Allow the tablet to stop fizzing before drinking. Drink the liquid slowly. Because calcium can interfere with the absorption of other drugs, do not take other medications within 2 hours of taking calcium.

SIDE EFFECTS: Calcium is generally well tolerated. High levels of calcium can cause some adverse effects. Notify your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, stomach pain, thirst, dry mouth, increased urination. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor before using this medication: diarrhea, stomach trouble, parathyroid disease, lung disease (sarcoidosis), kidney stones. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication. Some forms of calcium are known to be excreted into breast milk. Though there have been no reports (to date) of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription drugs you may use, especially: vitamins, tetracycline, quinolone antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin), gallium nitrate, cellulose sodium phosphate, etidronate, magnesium sulfate, phenytoin. Do not eat large amounts of bran or whole grain cereals and breads. They may reduce absorption of calcium. Also, consuming alcohol, large amounts of caffeine, and tobacco smoking may affect absorption of calcium. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


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calcium supplements-oral

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a condition characterized by the loss of the normal density of bone, resulting in fragile bone. Osteoporosis leads to literally abnormally porous bone that is more compressible like a sponge, than dense like a brick. This disorder of the skeleton weakens the bone causing an increase in the risk for breaking bones (bone fracture).

Normal bone is composed of protein, collagen, and calcium all of which give bone its strength. Bones that are affected by osteoporosis can break (fracture) with relatively minor injury that normally would not cause a bone fracture. The fracture can be either in the form of cracking (as in a hip fracture), or collapsing (as in a compression fracture of the vertebrae of the spine). The spine, hips, and wrists are common areas of bone fractures from osteoporosis, although osteoporosis-related fractures can also occur in almost any skeletal bone.

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