III. Dosing: Calcium Carbonate

  1. Background
    1. Calcium Carbonate is 40% elemental Calcium (20 meq elemental Ca++ per Calcium Carbonate gram)
  2. Formulations
    1. Tums: 200 mg/tab elemental Calcium (extra strength 400 mg/tab)
    2. Viactiv: 500 mg/chew elemental Calcium (also contains Vitamin D 500 mg, Vitamin K 40 mcg)
    3. Os-Cal: 500 mg/tab elemental Calcium (also contains Vitamin D, from 200 mg to 800 mg depending on preparation)
    4. Caltrate: 600 mg/tab elemental Calcium (also contains Vitamin D 200 mg)
  3. Administration
    1. Take with meals or citrus juice
    2. Absorption reduced with Fasting or achlorhydria
  4. Dose
    1. Osteoporosis Prevention
      1. See Calcium Supplementation

IV. Dosing: Combination Agents

  1. Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide (Tablets contain 700 mg/300 mg)
    1. Adults: 2 to 4 tabs four times daily as needed for use as Antacid
    2. Unknown safety in pregnancy and Lactation

V. Background: Calcium Supplementation

  1. Advantages
    1. Calcium Carbonate has the most elemental Calcium (40%) of the Calcium supplements
    2. Calcium Carbonate Tablet 650 mg contains 250 mg elemental Calcium
    3. Calcium Carbonate is the least expensive Calcium preparation
  2. Disadvantages
    1. Only 35% of Calcium supplements are absorbed (contrast with much better Dietary Calcium absorption)
    2. Constipation

VI. Adverse Effects

  1. Constipation
  2. Metabolic Alkalosis (longterm use)
  3. Hypercalcemia
  4. Milk-Alkali Syndrome
    1. Rare complication of combining chronic use of Calcium Supplementation with milk or bicarbonate

VII. Drug Interactions

  1. Calcium Carbonate decreases absorption of drugs better absorbed at lower gastric pH
    1. Levothyroxine
    2. Tetracycline
    3. Fluoroquinolones

IX. References

  1. Olson (2020) Clinical Pharmacology, Medmaster Miami, p. 90
  2. Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia

Images: Related links to external sites (from Bing)

Related Studies

Ontology: Calcium Carbonate (C0006681)

Definition (MSHCZE) CaCO3, většinou jako bílý precipitát; nerost (viz kalcit), nachází se v popelu rostlin, kostech, skořápkách. Používá se jako pigment, plnivo, k dentálním a farmaceutickým účelům, jako antacidum. (cit. Velký lékařský slovník online, 2013 http://lekarske.slovniky.cz/ )
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) A form of the mineral calcium that is used to prevent or treat osteoporosis (a decrease in bone mass and density) and to treat heartburn and upset stomach. It is also being studied in the prevention of bone problems in people with cancer. It is a type of dietary supplement.
Definition (NCI) The carbonic salt of calcium (CaCO3). Calcium carbonate is used therapeutically as a phosphate buffer in hemodialysis, as an antacid in gastric hyperacidity for temporary relief of indigestion and heartburn, and as a calcium supplement for preventing and treating osteoporosis. (NCI04)
Definition (MSH) Carbonic acid calcium salt (CaCO3). An odorless, tasteless powder or crystal that occurs in nature. It is used therapeutically as a phosphate buffer in hemodialysis patients and as a calcium supplement.
Definition (CSP) carbonic acid calcium salt (CaCO3) used therapeutically as a phosphate buffer in hemodialysis patients and as a calcium supplement.
Definition (PDQ) The carbonic salt of calcium (CaCO3). Calcium carbonate is used therapeutically as a phosphate buffer in hemodialysis, as an antacid in gastric hyperacidity for temporary relief of indigestion and heartburn, and as a calcium supplement for preventing and treating osteoporosis. Check for "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=39679&idtype=1" active clinical trials or "http://www.cancer.gov/Search/ClinicalTrialsLink.aspx?id=39679&idtype=1&closed=1" closed clinical trials using this agent. ("http://nciterms.nci.nih.gov:80/NCIBrowser/ConceptReport.jsp?dictionary=NCI_Thesaurus&code=C332" NCI Thesaurus)
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Inorganic Chemical (T197)
MSH D002119
SnomedCT 387307005, 55217007
LNC LP16845-7
English Calcium Carbonate, Carbonate, Calcium, Carbonic acid calcium salt (1:1), CaCO3, mineral supplements calcium carbonate, calcium carbonate (medication), calcium (as carbonate), calcium carbonate as antacid, calcium carbonate as antacid (medication), calcium carbonate, CALCIUM CARBONATE, Calcium Carbonate [Chemical/Ingredient], calcium carbonated, calcium carbonates, Calcium carbonate, Calcium carbonate (product), Calcium carbonate (substance), CALCIUM (AS CALCIUM CARBONATE), CALCIUM (AS CARBONATE), Antacid (Calcium Carbonate)
French CaCO3, Carbonate de calcium
Swedish Kalciumkarbonat
Czech uhličitan vápenatý
Finnish Kalsiumkarbonaatti
Russian KAL'TSIIA KARBONAT, КАЛЬЦИЯ КАРБОНАТ
Japanese 霰石, 炭酸石灰, 炭酸カルシウム, あられ石
Polish Węglan wapniowy
Norwegian Kalsiumkarbonat
Spanish carbonato de calcio (producto), carbonato de calcio (sustancia), carbonato de calcio nativo purificado, carbonato de calcio, Carbonato de Calcio
German Calciumcarbonat, Kalziumkarbonat
Italian Carbonato di calcio
Portuguese Carbonato de Cálcio