Calcium Carbonate

Calcium Carbonate is a mineral supplement / antacid medicine available in Bangladesh under many brand names. Below are its uses, side effects and precautions — and every brand with its current price.

• Prevention and treatment of calcium deficiency
• Osteoporosis and osteopenia support, usually with vitamin D and doctor-directed therapy
• Increased calcium needs in pregnancy, lactation, adolescence and older age
• Bone health support in long-term steroid use, as advised by a doctor
• Symptomatic relief of heartburn and acid indigestion (antacid use)
• Phosphate binding in chronic kidney disease, only under specialist supervision

At recommended doses calcium carbonate is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are constipation, bloating, gas and belching. Some people experience mild nausea or stomach discomfort, which usually improves when the dose is taken with food or split through the day.

Excessive or prolonged high intake can raise blood calcium, causing thirst, frequent urination, weakness, confusion and kidney stones, and very heavy use with absorbable antacids may cause milk-alkali syndrome. As an antacid it can cause acid rebound after the effect wears off. Seek medical advice for persistent constipation, bone pain, unusual thirst or reduced urine output.

Tell your doctor before regular use if you have kidney disease or stones, sarcoidosis, parathyroid disorders, or are taking vitamin D in high doses, as these increase the risk of high blood calcium. Total intake counts — add up food, fortified products and all supplements to avoid exceeding roughly 2000-2500 mg daily from every source.

Take Calcium Carbonate with food for absorption and space it about two hours from iron, zinc and thyroid medicine, and as directed from certain antibiotics. Long-term antacid self-use can mask serious stomach disease; see a doctor if heartburn recurs frequently. Adequate fluid intake helps limit constipation and stone risk.

Calcium carbonate reduces the absorption of many medicines taken at the same time: tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics (doxycycline, ciprofloxacin), levothyroxine, iron and zinc salts, and bisphosphonates such as alendronate — keep the gaps your doctor or pharmacist advises, often two to four hours or more.

Thiazide diuretics reduce calcium excretion and can push blood calcium high when combined. High calcium levels increase digoxin toxicity risk. As an antacid it may alter absorption of several other drugs, and large doses of vitamin D or A change calcium handling. Caffeine-heavy drinks and high-phytate meals also lower calcium uptake. Share your full medicine list before starting.

Calcium carbonate must not be used in high blood calcium (hypercalcaemia) or high urinary calcium, conditions that cause them such as hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D overdose, sarcoidosis and some cancers with bone involvement, or in severe kidney impairment and recurrent calcium kidney stones without specialist supervision.

It is also contraindicated in known hypersensitivity to any component of the preparation. People with achlorhydria absorb calcium carbonate poorly and may need a different salt such as calcium citrate. If you have ever had kidney stones or parathyroid disease, get medical clearance before regular supplementation.

Pregnancy: Calcium needs rise in pregnancy, and calcium carbonate at recommended doses is considered safe; in some settings doctors prescribe it routinely to help prevent pregnancy-related high blood pressure. Avoid exceeding the advised total from food plus supplements, and take it separately from iron tablets by about two hours.

Lactation: Calcium passes into breast milk as a normal component, and supplementation at recommended doses is compatible with breastfeeding. Continue only the amount your doctor advises, since requirements differ between mothers, and report symptoms of excess such as marked constipation, thirst or frequent urination.

Store below 30°C in a dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture, with the container tightly closed. Keep the in its original packaging until use; chewable tablets in particular absorb moisture and soften. Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Do not use after the expiry date printed on the pack.