Calcium

What is it?

Calcium is a mineral used to treat osteoporosis (bone loss), kidney stones, and menstrual cramps. It is also used as a vitamin supplement to increase bone mass and is used as an antacid (to treat stomach acid upset).

Other names for Calcium include: Calcium Carbonate, Calcium Citrate, Calcium Malate, Calcium Gluconate, Calcium Salt, Calcium Chloride, Oyster Shell Calcium, and Calcium Oxide.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using: Tell your doctor if you .

are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
are breastfeeding
have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease
Dosage: There are many doses for this medicine. The most common doses for Calcium are listed below. Ask your doctor if your health problem is not on the list or if the dose is not given for a product you want to use.

Optimal daily intakes, men age 25 to 65 years: 1000 milligrams (mg) daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, men over 65 years: 1500 mg daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, women age 25 to 50 years: 1000 mg daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, women over 50 years or postmenopausal: 1500 mg if not on estrogens; 1000 mg if on estrogens daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, women over 65 years: 1500 mg daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, women, pregnant and nursing: 1200 mg to 1500 mg daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, infants, birth to 6 months: 400 mg daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, infants, 6 months to 1 year: 600 mg daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, children age 1 to 10 years: 800 to 1200 mg daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, adolescents age 11 to 24 years: 1200 to 1500 mg daily (1)
Optimal daily intakes, young adults to 24 years: 1200 to 1500 mg daily (1)
To store this medicine: Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions: Do not take Calcium without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

Alendronate (Fosamax(R)) (2)
Water pills (thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics, examples: bendroflumethiazide, benzthiazide, hydrochlorothiazide) (3,4)
Thyroid medicine (examples: Armor Thyroid(R), Synthroid(R) levothyroxine) (5)
High blood pressure medication (calcium channel blockers, example: Cardizem(R) Dilacor(R) diltiazem, Calan(R) Isoptin(R) verapamil) (8)
Heart medications (cardiac glycosides, example: Lanoxin(R) digoxin) (8)
Zinc or zinc-containing products (6)
Warnings:

Before taking Calcium, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Too much Calcium may cause kidney stones (7)
Side Effects: Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
Chest pain
Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin
Other Possible Side Effects: You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

May cause constipation (not able to have a bowel movement) (4)
Too much Calcium may cause you to have stomach pain or may cause you to throw up (7)
Calcium chloride and Calcium gluconate are more likely to cause stomach upset. If this occurs try Calcium lactate as it may cause less stomach upset (4)