General Information and Indications:
Calcium carbonate,Caltrate, is a dietary
supplement used when the amount of calcium taken in the diet is not enough.
Calcium is needed by the body for healthy bones, muscles, nervous system,
and heart. Calcium carbonate also is used as an antacid to relieve
heartburn, acid indigestion, and stomach upset. It is available with or
without a prescription.
Information For Users:
Calcium carbonate comes as a tablet, chewable tablet,
capsule, and liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken three or four
times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription or package label
carefully, and ask Your physician or pharmacist to explain any part you do
not understand. Take calcium carbonate exactly as directed. Do not take more
or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by Your Health provider.
When using this medicine as a dietary supplement, take it with food or
following meals.
Chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before being swallowed; do not
swallow them whole. Drink a full glass of water after taking either the
regular or chewable tablets or capsules. Some liquid forms of calcium
carbonate must be shaken well before use.
Do not take calcium carbonate as an antacid for more than 2 weeks unless
Your Health provider tells you to.
special precautions:
Call your physician or pharmacist if you are allergic to
calcium carbonate or any other drugs.
Call your physician or pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially digoxin (Lanoxin), etidronate (Didronel),
phenytoin (Dilantin), tetracycline (Sumycin), and vitamins. Do not take
calcium carbonate within 1–2 hours of taking other medicines. Calcium may
decrease the effectiveness of the other medicine.
Call your physician if you have or have ever had kidney disease or stomach
conditions.
Call your physician if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking calcium carbonate, Call
your physician.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Although adverse effects from calcium carbonate are not
common, they can occur. Call your physician if any of the following symptoms
are severe or long lasting:
upset stomach
vomiting
stomach pain
belching
constipation
dry mouth
increased urination
loss of appetite
metallic taste
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