Active Ingredient: Calcium Carbonate equivalent to Elemental Calcium (500mg).
What it does: Provides a highly concentrated source of elemental calcium to support bone mineralization, muscle contractions, and nerve signaling.
Prescribed for: Prevention and treatment of calcium deficiency (osteoporosis, osteomalacia, rickets), as a dietary supplement during pregnancy and lactation, and as a phosphate binder to manage high blood phosphate in chronic renal failure.
Standard Regimen: Typically 1 tablet taken 1 to 3 times daily depending on the condition, or as directed by a physician.
Important Rules: Take with or immediately after meals to maximize absorption (stomach acid is required to break down calcium carbonate).
Phosphate Binding Rule: If used for kidney disease, take strictly with meals to bind dietary phosphate in the gut before it absorbs.
Separation Window: Do not take within 2 to 3 hours of other medications (like tetracycline antibiotics, fluoroquinolones, or iron supplements), as calcium binds to them and prevents their absorption.
Constipation (most common, drink plenty of water), flatulence, bloating, or mild stomach upset.
Overuse Risk: Prolonged use of high doses can lead to hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood), presenting as extreme thirst, frequent urination, nausea, or muscle weakness.