Calcium Carb 648mg Tablets

As an antacid, calcium carbonate neutralizes gastric acid by reacting with hydrochloric acid in the stomach to form calcium chloride, water, and carbon dioxide. This increases gastric pH, providing relief from heartburn and indigestion. As a calcium supplement, it provides elemental calcium, which is essential for bone formation, nerve and muscle function, and blood coagulation.

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 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 safe use, 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

Before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medication, including this one, consult with your doctor to confirm it is safe to do so. This will help prevent potential interactions and ensure the medication is suitable for your specific health situation.

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 soy allergy, consult your doctor before using this product, as some formulations may contain soy.

When taking this drug, 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 schedule with your doctor to ensure safe and effective use.

If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding, notify your doctor. You and your doctor will need to weigh the benefits and risks of using this medication during this time to make an informed decision about your care and the well-being of your baby.

• Ceftriaxone (in neonates): Concomitant IV administration can lead to fatal ceftriaxone-calcium precipitation in lungs and kidneys.

• Tetracyclines (e.g., doxycycline, minocycline): Calcium can chelate tetracyclines, significantly reducing their absorption. Separate administration by at least 2-4 hours.
• Fluoroquinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin): Calcium can chelate fluoroquinolones, significantly reducing their absorption. Separate administration by at least 2-6 hours.
• Bisphosphonates (e.g., alendronate, risedronate): Calcium can interfere with bisphosphonate absorption. Separate administration by at least 30 minutes to 2 hours (depending on bisphosphonate).
• Levothyroxine: Calcium can impair levothyroxine absorption. Separate administration by at least 4 hours.
• Iron supplements: Calcium can reduce iron absorption. Separate administration by at least 2 hours.
• Thiazide diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide): Can decrease urinary calcium excretion, increasing risk of hypercalcemia.
• Digoxin: Hypercalcemia can potentiate digoxin toxicity.
• Phosphate binders (e.g., sevelamer, lanthanum): May reduce calcium absorption or lead to hypercalcemia if used concomitantly with calcium-containing binders.
• Vitamin D analogs (e.g., calcitriol): Increase intestinal absorption of calcium, increasing risk of hypercalcemia.

• Zinc supplements: High doses of calcium may interfere with zinc absorption.
• Phenytoin: Calcium may reduce phenytoin absorption.
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate): Risk of intestinal necrosis with sorbitol-containing formulations.

• Symptoms of hypercalcemia: Nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, polyuria, polydipsia, confusion, lethargy, cardiac arrhythmias.
• Symptoms of milk-alkali syndrome: Headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, renal impairment.
• Constipation (common side effect).

Calcium carbonate is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy for both antacid and calcium supplementation purposes, as calcium is an essential nutrient. However, excessive doses should be avoided.

Calcium carbonate is considered safe for use during lactation. Calcium is a natural component of breast milk, and maternal supplementation does not typically pose a risk to the infant.

Dosing for children should be determined by a healthcare professional, especially for infants and young children. Calcium carbonate is used for calcium supplementation and occasionally as an antacid in older children. Risk of hypercalcemia is higher in children with renal impairment.

Elderly patients may be more susceptible to hypercalcemia due to age-related decline in renal function. Monitor serum calcium and renal function closely. Start with lower doses and titrate carefully. Increased risk of constipation.

• Calcium carbonate contains 40% elemental calcium (e.g., 648 mg tablet contains 260 mg elemental calcium).
• For optimal absorption as a supplement, calcium carbonate should be taken with food.
• For antacid effect, it can be taken with or without food, but duration of action is longer with food.
• Advise patients to separate calcium carbonate from other medications (especially antibiotics, thyroid hormones, and bisphosphonates) by several hours to avoid absorption interference.
• Warn patients about the risk of constipation and advise adequate fluid intake.
• High doses or chronic use, especially in patients with renal impairment, can lead to hypercalcemia and milk-alkali syndrome.
• Chewable forms are often preferred for antacid use for faster onset.

• Other antacids (e.g., aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, famotidine, ranitidine, omeprazole)
• Other calcium supplements (e.g., calcium citrate, calcium gluconate, calcium lactate)
• Dietary calcium sources (e.g., dairy products, fortified foods, leafy greens)

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. If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to discuss them with 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 reporting the incident, be prepared to provide details about the medication taken, the amount, and the time it occurred.