Drug Notes - Calcium/vitamin D supplement (By mouth)

Calcium/vitamin D supplement (By mouth)

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to calcium or vitamin D (ergocalciferol).

Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription. Ask your pharmacist or health caregiver if you are not sure how much calcium you should take in one day.
Most calcium supplements should be taken with food, but some kinds of calcium (such as calcium citrate) can be taken with or without food. Ask your health care provider or read the label on the bottle to see if you need to take your specific kind of calcium with food. Drink a full glass of water (8 ounces) with each dose.
If you are using the effervescent (fizzy) tablet, dissolve the tablet in about 6 to 8 ounces of water (3/4 cup to 1 cup). After the tablet is completely dissolved, drink this mixture right away. Do not save any mixture to take later.
Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.
If you need to take more than one dose each a day, take each dose at evenly spaced times, unless your doctor has told you otherwise.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. If the effervescent (fizzy) tablet comes packaged in foil, do not open the foil until you are ready to use each tablet.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using other supplements or medicines that contain calcium. Tell your doctor if you are also using gallium nitrate (Ganite®), cellulose sodium phosphate (Calcibind®), or etidronate (Didronel®).
Calcium can change the way other medicines work if you take them at the same time. If you need to use other medicines, take them at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take your calcium supplement. This is particularly important if you are also using phenytoin (Dilantin®) or a tetracycline antibiotic to treat an infection (such as doxycycline, minocycline, Vibramycin®).
Do not take your calcium supplement with a high-fiber meal (such as bran, whole-grain cereal or bread, fresh fruits). Do not smoke cigarettes or cigars. Do not drink large amounts of alcohol or caffeine (for example, more than about 8 cups of coffee).

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have kidney disease or have ever had kidney stones. Tell your doctor if you have had problems with too much calcium (hypercalcemia) or too little calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia). Some health problems that can cause hypercalcemia are sarcoidosis, or problems with your parathyroid gland.
You should not use certain brands of this medicine if you have kidney disease or are on dialysis, because they may harm your kidneys. Ask your caregiver what brands are best for you.
Some health problems can affect how much calcium you should take. Tell your doctor if you have stomach or digestion problems, such as on-going diarrhea, not absorbing nutrients properly, or not having enough acid in your stomach.
This medicine might contain phenylalanine (aspartame). This is only a concern if you have a disorder called phenylketonuria (a problem with amino acids). If you have this condition, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
If you are using a large amount of calcium or using it for a long time, your doctor might need to check your blood on a regular basis. Be sure to keep all appointments.

Headache that will not go away, dry mouth, loss of appetite, severe constipation.

Last Updated: 9/6/2024