Calcium Carb 500mg Chewtablets

Calcium carbonate acts as an antacid by neutralizing gastric acid (hydrochloric acid) in the stomach to form 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 an exogenous source of calcium, an essential mineral for bone formation, nerve transmission, muscle contraction, 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. Although rare, some people may have severe and potentially life-threatening side effects when taking this medication. Be aware of the following signs of a serious allergic reaction:
- Rash
- Hives
- Itching
- Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever)
- Wheezing
- Tightness in the chest or throat
- Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
- Unusual hoarseness
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat

Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. However, many people do not experience any side effects or only have mild ones. If you are bothered by any of the following side effects or if they do not go away, contact your doctor for advice:
- Constipation
Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and you may experience other side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, consult your doctor.

Reporting Side Effects
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.

Additionally, this medication may interact with other health conditions or medications. Therefore, it is crucial to provide your doctor and pharmacist with a comprehensive list of:

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

To ensure your safety, do not start, stop, or modify the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor. It is vital to verify that it is safe to take this medication in combination with 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. 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 recommend taking other oral drugs at a different time than this medication. Discuss your medication regimen with your doctor to determine the best schedule.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are currently breast-feeding, notify your doctor. You and your doctor will need to carefully weigh the benefits and risks of this medication to both you and your baby to make an informed decision about its use.

• Tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline, minocycline): Calcium can chelate these antibiotics, significantly reducing their absorption. Separate administration by at least 2-4 hours.
• Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin): Calcium can chelate these antibiotics, significantly reducing their absorption. Separate administration by at least 2-6 hours.

• Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, risedronate): Calcium can interfere with their absorption. Separate administration by at least 30 minutes to 2 hours.
• Thyroid hormones (e.g., levothyroxine): Calcium can reduce levothyroxine absorption. Separate administration by at least 4 hours.
• Iron supplements: Calcium can reduce iron absorption. Separate administration by at least 2 hours.
• Digoxin: Hypercalcemia (from excessive calcium carbonate intake) can increase the risk of digoxin toxicity, especially in patients with renal impairment.
• Phenytoin: Calcium can reduce phenytoin absorption. Separate administration by at least 2-3 hours.
• Thiazide diuretics: Can decrease urinary calcium excretion, increasing the risk of hypercalcemia.
• Vitamin D analogs (e.g., calcitriol): Increase calcium absorption, potentially leading to hypercalcemia when co-administered with calcium supplements.

• Acid-suppressing agents (e.g., PPIs, H2 blockers): May reduce calcium carbonate solubility and absorption if taken chronically, as gastric acid is needed for dissolution.

• Heartburn relief
• Indigestion relief
• Constipation (common side effect)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Confusion (signs of hypercalcemia)

Generally considered safe for use during pregnancy when taken at recommended doses for antacid or calcium supplementation. Calcium requirements increase during pregnancy, and calcium carbonate is a common source. Consult a healthcare provider before use.

Considered safe for use during lactation. Calcium is a normal component of breast milk, and maternal calcium carbonate use at recommended doses is not expected to harm the infant.

Use in children under 12 years should be under the guidance of a healthcare professional, especially for long-term use or for conditions other than occasional antacid relief. Dosing must be age-appropriate. Risk of constipation and potential for hypercalcemia with excessive use.

Use with caution in elderly patients, especially those with pre-existing renal impairment, due to an increased risk of hypercalcemia and constipation. Monitor renal function and serum calcium levels if used chronically or at higher doses.

• Calcium carbonate is most effective as an antacid when chewed thoroughly before swallowing.
• For optimal calcium absorption, take calcium carbonate with food.
• Separate calcium carbonate from other medications (especially antibiotics, iron, thyroid hormones) by at least 2-4 hours to prevent absorption interference.
• Chronic high-dose use can lead to constipation, hypercalcemia, and in rare cases, milk-alkali syndrome (especially with concomitant dairy intake or renal impairment).
• Patients with a history of kidney stones should use calcium carbonate cautiously and under medical supervision.
• Not recommended for long-term daily use as an antacid without medical advice, as it may mask underlying conditions.

• Other antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate)
• H2-receptor antagonists (H2RAs) (e.g., famotidine, ranitidine - though ranitidine is largely off-market)
• Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (e.g., omeprazole, esomeprazole)
• Alginate-based products (e.g., Gaviscon)
• Dietary calcium sources (for supplementation)

If your symptoms or health issues persist or worsen, it is essential to contact your doctor promptly. To ensure safe and effective treatment, never share your medication with others or take someone else's medication. Some medications may come with an additional patient information leaflet, so it's a good idea 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 emergency medical attention. When seeking help, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it happened.