Calcium Carb 1250mg/5ml Susp

Calcium carbonate acts as an antacid by neutralizing hydrochloric acid in the stomach, forming calcium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide. This increases gastric pH, which can relieve symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, and sour stomach. As a calcium supplement, it provides elemental calcium necessary for bone formation, nerve and muscle function, and other physiological processes.

Urgent Side Effects: Seek Medical Help Right Away
If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention, as they may be signs of a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction:
- 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, although not everyone will experience them. Many people have either no side effects or only mild ones. If you encounter any of the following side effects, or if any other side effects bother you or do not go away, contact your doctor for advice:
- Constipation.

Important Note
This list does not include all possible side effects. If you have concerns about side effects, consult your doctor. For medical advice regarding 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.
If you have high calcium levels in your blood.

This is not an exhaustive list of all potential interactions. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss the following with your doctor and pharmacist:

All medications you are currently taking, including prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural products, and vitamins.
Any health problems you have or have had in the past.

To ensure your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without first consulting your doctor. It is vital to verify that it is safe to take this medication with all your other medications and health conditions.

It is essential to inform all your healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists, that you are taking this medication. This drug can interfere with the absorption of other oral medications, which may require you to take them at a different time. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor to determine the best schedule for your medications. Additionally, if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, you must consult your doctor to weigh the benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby.

• Hypercalcemia
• Severe renal impairment (unless used as a phosphate binder under strict supervision)
• History of renal calculi (calcium-containing)

• Tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline, minocycline): Decreased absorption of tetracyclines due to chelation. Separate administration by at least 2-4 hours.
• Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin): Decreased absorption of fluoroquinolones due to chelation. Separate administration by at least 2-6 hours.
• Iron supplements (e.g., ferrous sulfate): Decreased absorption of iron. Separate administration by at least 2 hours.
• Thyroid hormones (e.g., levothyroxine): Decreased absorption of thyroid hormones. Separate administration by at least 4 hours.
• Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, risedronate): Decreased absorption of bisphosphonates. Separate administration by at least 30 minutes to 2 hours (depending on bisphosphonate).

• Digoxin: Hypercalcemia can potentiate digoxin toxicity. Monitor ECG and serum digoxin levels.
• Thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide): Increased risk of hypercalcemia due to decreased renal calcium excretion.
• Phenytoin: May decrease phenytoin absorption. Separate administration by 2-3 hours.
• Phosphate binders (other): Concurrent use may lead to excessive calcium or phosphate imbalance.
• Vitamin D analogs (e.g., calcitriol): Increased risk of hypercalcemia due to enhanced calcium absorption.

• Acid-suppressing agents (e.g., PPIs, H2 blockers): May reduce calcium carbonate solubility and absorption, especially if used for calcium supplementation. Take calcium carbonate with food.
• Corticosteroids: May decrease calcium absorption and increase calcium excretion, potentially necessitating higher calcium supplementation.

• Constipation
• Abdominal discomfort/bloating
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Increased thirst (polydipsia)
• Increased urination (polyuria)
• Muscle weakness
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Bone pain

Generally considered safe for use during pregnancy for antacid purposes and as a calcium supplement when taken at recommended doses. Calcium requirements increase during pregnancy. However, excessive doses should be avoided due to the theoretical risk of hypercalcemia in the mother and fetus.

Considered safe for use during lactation. Calcium is a normal component of breast milk. Maternal calcium carbonate use at recommended doses is unlikely to cause adverse effects in the breastfed infant.

Use in children, especially those under 6 years, should be under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Dosing for antacid use is lower than adults and should be carefully measured. For calcium supplementation, age-appropriate dietary reference intakes should be considered, and excessive intake should be avoided.

Generally safe, but use with caution in elderly patients, especially those with pre-existing renal impairment, as they are at increased risk for hypercalcemia and constipation. Monitor renal function and serum calcium levels periodically. Start with lower doses for antacid use if needed.

• Calcium carbonate is most effective as an antacid when taken 1-3 hours after meals and at bedtime.
• For calcium supplementation, taking calcium carbonate with food enhances its absorption due to increased gastric acid secretion.
• Advise patients to separate calcium carbonate administration from other medications (especially antibiotics, iron, thyroid hormones) by at least 2-4 hours to prevent drug interactions.
• Warn patients about the potential for constipation, especially with higher doses. Adequate fluid intake and dietary fiber can help mitigate this.
• Be mindful of the elemental calcium content: 1250 mg of calcium carbonate contains 500 mg of elemental calcium.
• Avoid chronic high doses in patients with renal impairment due to the risk of hypercalcemia and renal stone formation.
• Milk-alkali syndrome (hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and renal impairment) is a rare but serious complication associated with excessive intake of calcium and absorbable alkali (like calcium carbonate).

• Other antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate)
• H2-receptor antagonists (e.g., famotidine, ranitidine - OTC for heartburn)
• Proton pump inhibitors (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole - OTC for frequent heartburn)
• Alginic acid-containing products (e.g., Gaviscon)
• Dietary calcium sources (for supplementation)

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 your 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.