What is calcium carbonate?

Calcium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods. Calcium is necessary for many normal functions of the body, especially bone formation and maintenance.

Calcium carbonate is used to prevent or to treat a calcium deficiency.

There are many brands and forms of calcium carbonate available. Not all brands are listed on this leaflet.

Calcium carbonate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Calcium carbonate side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Calcium carbonate may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• little or no urinating;
• swelling, rapid weight gain; or
• high levels of calcium in your blood–nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, confusion, lack of energy, or feeling tired.

Common side effects of calcium carbonate may include:

• upset stomach, gas; or
• constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.

Warnings

Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

Before taking this medicine

Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to take calcium carbonate if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• kidney stones;
• cancer;
• a parathyroid gland disorder; or
• high levels of calcium in your blood.

Ask a doctor before using calcium carbonate if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

How should I take calcium carbonate?

Use exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Check the label of your calcium carbonate product to see if it should be taken with or without food.

Swallow the calcium carbonate regular tablet with a full glass of water.

The chewable tablet should be chewed before you swallow it.

Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

Use the calcium carbonate powder as directed. Allow the powder to dissolve completely, then consume the mixture.

Calcium carbonate may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes dietary changes. Learn about the foods that contain calcium.

Your calcium carbonate dose may need to be adjusted as you make changes to your diet. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line.

What should I avoid while taking calcium carbonate?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any multivitamins, mineral supplements, or antacids while you are taking calcium carbonate.

What other drugs can affect calcium carbonate?

Calcium can make it harder for your body to absorb certain medicines. If you take other medications, take them at least 2 hours before or 4 or 6 hours after you take calcium carbonate.

Other drugs may interact with calcium carbonate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. 

Cholecalciferol is vitamin D3. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium.

Cholecalciferol is used as a dietary supplement in people who do not get enough vitamin D in their diets to maintain adequate health.

Cholecalciferol may also be used for purposes not listed in this guide.

Cholecalciferol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop taking cholecalciferol and call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain, feeling short of breath;
• growth problems (in a child taking cholecalciferol); or
• early signs of vitamin D overdose–weakness, metallic taste in your mouth, weight loss, muscle or bone pain, constipation, nausea, and vomiting.

Less serious side effects may be more likely, and you may have none at all.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

You should not take cholecalciferol if you have had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your body, or any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

Before taking this medicine

You should not use cholecalciferol if you have had an allergic reaction to vitamin D, or if you have:

• high levels of vitamin D in your body (hypervitaminosis D);
• high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia); or
• any condition that makes it hard for your body to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption).

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart disease;
• kidney disease; or
• an electrolyte imbalance.

Certain forms of cholecalciferol may contain ingredients you should know about, such as peanut or soybean oil, sugar, aspartame (phenylalanine), or certain food dyes. Ask a doctor before using cholecalciferol if you have allergies, diabetes, or phenylketonuria (PKU).

Too much vitamin D could harm an unborn baby or a nursing baby. Ask a doctor before using cholecalciferol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.

Do not give cholecalciferol to a child without medical advice. Your child’s dose will depend on age, weight, diet, and other factors.

How should I take cholecalciferol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all the guides or instruction sheets. Use only the recommended dose of cholecalciferol.

It may be best to take cholecalciferol after a meal, but you may take it with or without food.

Measure liquid cholecalciferol carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

The chewable tablet must be chewed before you swallow it.

To take a disintegrating (Quick-Melt) tablet, place it on your tongue and do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

The cholecalciferol wafer is usually taken only once per week or once per month. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully. The wafer must be chewed before you swallow it.

While using cholecalciferol, you will need frequent blood tests. You may also need x-rays.

Your doctor will determine how long to treat you with cholecalciferol.

Cholecalciferol may be only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes dietary changes and taking calcium and vitamin supplements. Follow your doctor’s instructions very closely.

Learn about the foods you should eat to make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet. Your cholecalciferol dose may need to be adjusted as you make changes to your diet.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, light, and heat.

Cholecalciferol dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation:

US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D:
18 to 70 years: 15 mcg (600 international units) daily
Tolerable Upper Intake Level: 100 mcg (4000 international units)

Usual Geriatric Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation:

US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D:
70 years and older: 20 mcg (800 international units) daily
Tolerable Upper Intake Level: 100 mcg (4000 international units)

Usual Pediatric Dose for Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation:

US Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin D:

0 to 6 months: 10 mcg (400 international units) daily
Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL): 25 mcg (1000 international units)

7 to 12 months: 10 mcg (400 international units) daily
UL: 38 mcg (1500 international units)

1 to 3 years: 15 mcg (600 international units) daily
UL: 63 mcg (2500 international units)

4 to 8 years: 15 mcg (600 international units) daily
UL: 75 mcg (3000 international units)

9 to 18 years: 15 mcg (600 international units) daily
UL: 100 mcg (4000 international units)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take cholecalciferol as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line . An overdose of vitamin D can cause serious or life-threatening side effects.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, loss of appetite, thirst, urinating more or less than usual, body aches, stiffness, confusion, or irregular heartbeats.

What should I avoid while taking cholecalciferol?

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any multivitamins, mineral supplements, or antacids while you are taking cholecalciferol.

What other drugs will affect cholecalciferol?

Certain medications can make it harder for your body to absorb vitamin D. If you take other medications, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take cholecalciferol.

Other drugs may affect cholecalciferol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Calcitriol is a form of vitamin D3. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium from the stomach.

Calcitriol is used to treat hyperparathyroidism (overactive parathyroid glands) and metabolic bone disease in people who have chronic kidney failure and are not receiving dialysis.

Calcitriol is also used to treat calcium deficiency in people with hypoparathyroidism (underactive parathyroid glands) caused by surgery, disease, or other conditions.

Calcitriol is also used to treat calcium deficiency (hypocalcemia) and metabolic bone disease in people who are receiving dialysis.

Calcitriol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Calcitriol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Calcitriol may cause serious side effects. Stop using calcitriol and call your doctor at once if you have:

• dehydration symptoms–feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin;
• high calcium levels–nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, confusion, lack of energy, or tired feeling; or
• low calcium level–muscle spasms or contractions, numbness or tingly feeling (around your mouth, or in your fingers and toes).

Calcitriol can affect growth in children. Tell your doctor if your child is not growing at a normal rate while using calcitriol.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Warnings

You should not use this medicine if you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to calcitriol or other forms of vitamin D.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use calcitriol if:

• you have high levels of calcium or vitamin D in your blood; or
• you have had an allergic reaction to calcitriol or other forms of vitamin D.

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions or allergies.

It is not known whether calcitriol will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using calcitriol.

Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.

How should I use calcitriol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Calcitriol oral is taken by mouth.

Measure oral liquid carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Calcitriol injection is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give your first dose and may teach you how to properly use the medication by yourself.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Prepare an injection only when you are ready to give it. Do not use if the medicine has changed colors or has particles in it. Call your pharmacist for new medicine.

You will need frequent medical tests.

Drink plenty of fluids unless your doctor has told you to restrict your fluid intake.

You may need to follow a special diet while using calcitriol. Follow all instructions of your doctor or dietitian. Learn about the foods to eat or avoid to help control your condition.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking calcitriol. This can lead to very low blood pressure, a serious electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.

If you need major surgery or will be on long-term bed rest, your dose or testing needs may change. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line .

Early signs of overdose may include headache, weakness, drowsiness, dry mouth, metallic taste, nausea, vomiting, constipation, stomach pain, loss of appetite, muscle pain, or bone pain.

Late signs of overdose may include increased thirst, itching, increased urination (especially at night), severe stomach pain spreading to your back, irregular heartbeats, loss of appetite, weight loss, feeling hot, decreased interest in sex, or being unable to urinate.

What should I avoid while using calcitriol?

Do not take other vitamin or mineral supplements unless your doctor has told you to.

Ask your doctor before using an antacid or laxative, especially if you are on dialysis. Taking antacids or laxatives that contain magnesium may increase your blood levels of magnesium, which could affect your heart or blood pressure.

What other drugs will affect calcitriol?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• cholestyramine;
• digoxin, digitalis;
• ketoconazole;
• a diuretic or “water pill”–hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ, Diovan HCT, Hyzaar, Maxzide, Tenoretic, Zestoretic, and others;
• seizure medicine–phenobarbital, phenytoin; or
• steroid medicine–prednisone, dexamethasone, fluticasone, and others.