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calcium (different salts in combination)

A12AA20

Forms & Strengths

Oral tablets: 500 mg, 600 mg elemental calcium
Chewable tablets: 500 mg elemental calcium
Oral suspension: 500 mg/5 mL
Effervescent tablets: 1000 mg

Adult Dosing

Calcium supplementation: 500 mg to 1500 mg elemental calcium daily in divided doses
Hypocalcemia: 1 g to 2 g elemental calcium daily, adjusted based on serum calcium levels

Pediatric Dosing

Infants and Children: 45 mg/kg/day to 65 mg/kg/day elemental calcium divided in 3-4 doses
Adolescents: 1000 mg to 1300 mg elemental calcium daily

Indications

Prevention and treatment of calcium deficiency
Adjunct in the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis
Hypocalcemia associated with hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, or renal failure

Mechanism of Action

Provides exogenous calcium ions essential for maintaining the functional integrity of nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems
Regulates membrane permeability, nerve conduction, and smooth/cardiac muscle contraction
Acts as an intracellular messenger and cofactor for enzymatic reactions

Contraindications

Hypercalcemia and hypercalcemic conditions (e.g., hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D overdose, sarcoidosis)
Hypercalciuria and severe nephrolithiasis
Ventricular fibrillation during cardiac resuscitation
Known hypersensitivity to calcium salts

Adverse Reactions

Constipation
Flatulence and abdominal distension
Hypercalcemia (with chronic high-dose use)
Nephrolithiasis (with long-term high-dose supplementation)
Metabolic alkalosis (with concurrent use of absorbable alkali)

Drug Interactions

Decreases absorption of bisphosphonates, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and iron (separate administration by at least 2 hours)
Thiazide diuretics decrease renal calcium excretion, increasing the risk of hypercalcemia
Systemic corticosteroids decrease calcium absorption
Vitamin D enhances dietary calcium absorption

Curated Content: Needs Vetting Before Put to Clinical Use