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 can also bind to other minerals (such as phosphate) and aid in their removal from the body.
Calcium carbonate is used to prevent and to treat calcium deficiencies.
Calcium carbonate may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
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Precautions
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Instructions
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Side Effects
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Interactions
Precautions
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have:
- a history of kidney stones; or
- a parathyroid gland disorder.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to take calcium carbonate, or you may need a dose adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Talk to your doctor before taking calcium carbonate if you are pregnant.
Talk to your doctor before taking calcium carbonate if you are breast-feeding.
Follow your doctor’s instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while you are using calcium carbonate.
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Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation, confusion, delirium, stupor, and coma.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
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Side Effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects may include:
- nausea or vomiting;
- decreased appetite;
- constipation;
- dry mouth or increased thirst; or
- urinating more than usual.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Interactions
Calcium carbonate may interact with or make it harder for your body to absorb certain drugs. Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, especially:
- digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
- antacids or other calcium supplements;
- calcitriol (Rocaltrol) or vitamin D supplements; or
- a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin V, and others), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox, Doxy, and others), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, and others), or oxytetracycline (Terramycin, and others).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with calcium carbonate. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
Other Names
Os-Cal, Alka-Mints, Alkets, Alkums, Amilac, Cal Oys, Cal-Gest, Calcarb, Calci Mix, Calci-Chew, Calcitab, Calcium Concentrate, Calcium Liquid Softgel, Calcium Oyster, Calcium Oyster Shell, Caltrate, Caltro, Chooz, Equilet, Extra Strength Mylanta Calci Tabs, Icar Prenatal Chewable Calcium, Maalox Antacid Barrier, Maalox Quick Dissolve, Maalox Quick Dissolve Extra Strength, Maalox Quick Dissolve Maximum Strength, Maalox Regular Strength, Mylanta Child, Nephro Calci, Os-Cal 500, Oysco 500, Oyst Cal 500, Oyster Cal, Oyster Cal 500, Oyster Calcium, Oyster Shell, Oyster Shell Calcium 500, Pepto Children's, Rolaids Sodium Free, Rolaids Soft Chew, Super Calcium, Surpass, Surpass Extra Strength, Tums, Tums 500, Tums E-X, Tums Extra Strength, Tums Ultra, Ultra Mylanta Calci Tabs, calcium carbonate, oyster shell calcium, Oyster, Amitone, Dicarbosil, Maalox Childrens', Oyst Cal, and Titralac
Available Strengths & Dosages
| Route |
Form |
Strength |
| oral |
tablet |
1250 mg |
| oral |
tablet |
600 mg |
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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04
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