Calcium Antacid 500mg Chw Tablets

Calcium carbonate acts as an antacid by neutralizing hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form calcium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide. This increases gastric pH, reducing heartburn and indigestion symptoms. As a calcium supplement, it provides elemental calcium for bone health and other physiological functions.

Serious Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Immediately
Although rare, this medication can cause severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. If you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical attention right away:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, such as rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever), wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, difficulty breathing, swallowing, or talking, unusual hoarseness, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. While many people may not experience any side effects or only minor ones, it's essential to discuss any concerns with your doctor. Contact your doctor or seek medical help if you experience:
- Constipation
or any other side effects that bother you or do not go away.

Reporting Side Effects
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. For medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before Taking This Medication: Important Information to Share with Your Doctor

It is essential to inform your doctor about the following:

Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Be sure to describe the symptoms you experienced as a result of the allergy.
If you have elevated calcium levels in your blood.

This medication may interact with other health conditions or medications. To ensure your safety, it is crucial to provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of:

All prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications you are currently taking
Any natural products or vitamins you are using
* Your existing health problems

Before starting, stopping, or adjusting the dose of any medication, including this one, consult with your doctor to confirm that it is safe to do so. This will help prevent potential interactions and ensure the safe use of this medication.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication. If you have a known allergy to tartrazine (also referred to as FD&C Yellow No. 5), consult your doctor, as some formulations of this drug may contain this ingredient.

When taking this medication, be aware that it may interfere with the absorption of other oral medications. To minimize potential interactions, your doctor may advise you to take other oral drugs at a different time than this medication. Discuss your medication schedule with your doctor to ensure safe and effective treatment.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are currently breastfeeding, notify your doctor. It is crucial to discuss the potential benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby, allowing you to make an informed decision about your treatment.

• Thiazide diuretics (increased risk of hypercalcemia)
• Digoxin (hypercalcemia can potentiate digoxin toxicity)

• Tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline, minocycline): Decreased absorption of tetracyclines.
• Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin): Decreased absorption of fluoroquinolones.
• Iron supplements (e.g., ferrous sulfate): Decreased absorption of iron.
• Thyroid hormones (e.g., levothyroxine): Decreased absorption of thyroid hormones.
• Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate): Decreased absorption of bisphosphonates.

• Phenytoin: Decreased absorption of phenytoin.
• Ketoconazole, Itraconazole (pH-dependent absorption): Decreased absorption due to increased gastric pH.
• Mycophenolate mofetil: Decreased absorption.
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate): Risk of metabolic alkalosis and intestinal necrosis.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): May reduce NSAID-induced gastric irritation, but no direct interaction.

• Constipation
• Nausea
• Stomach upset
• Loss of appetite
• Unusual weight loss
• Muscle pain
• Bone pain
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, lethargy)
• Fatigue
• Headache

Generally considered safe for use as an antacid during pregnancy when used as directed. It is also a common source of calcium supplementation during pregnancy. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Considered safe for use during breastfeeding. Calcium is a natural component of breast milk, and calcium carbonate is unlikely to cause adverse effects in the infant.

Use in children under 12 years should be under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Dosing is age and weight-dependent. Risk of milk-alkali syndrome with excessive intake.

Use with caution in elderly patients, especially those with pre-existing renal impairment, as they may be more susceptible to hypercalcemia and milk-alkali syndrome. Consider potential drug interactions due to polypharmacy.

• Chew tablets thoroughly for optimal antacid effect.
• Separate administration of calcium carbonate from other medications by at least 2 hours before or 4-6 hours after to minimize drug interactions, especially with antibiotics (tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones), thyroid hormones, and bisphosphonates.
• While effective for immediate relief, calcium carbonate's antacid effect is relatively short-lived compared to H2 blockers or PPIs.
• Chronic high doses can lead to hypercalcemia and milk-alkali syndrome, especially in individuals with renal impairment.
• Can cause constipation; increasing fluid and fiber intake may help.

• Magnesium hydroxide (Milk of Magnesia)
• Aluminum hydroxide (e.g., Amphojel)
• Sodium bicarbonate (e.g., Alka-Seltzer)
• H2 receptor blockers (e.g., famotidine, ranitidine)
• Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole)

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it's essential to contact your doctor for further guidance. To ensure your safety, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so be sure to check with your pharmacist for more information. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. In the event of a suspected overdose, immediately call your local poison control center or seek medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide details about the medication, including the amount taken and the time it happened, to ensure you receive the best possible care.