Dosage Forms
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet, Oral:
Generic: 250 mg (elemental calcium)
Tablet, Oral [preservative free]:
Calcitrate: 200 mg (elemental calcium) [lactose free, milk derivatives/products, no artificial color(s), no artificial flavor(s), sodium free, soy free, sugar free, wheat free, yeast free]
Generic: 200 mg (elemental calcium)
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Moderates nerve and muscle performance via action potential excitation threshold regulation
Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics
Absorption
25% to 35%, requires vitamin D; varies with age (infants 60%, prepubertal children 28%, pubertal children 34%, young adults 25%); decreased absorption occurs in patients with achlorhydria, renal osteodystrophy, steatorrhea, or uremia
Excretion
Primarily in the feces as unabsorbed calcium
Protein Binding
45%
Use: Labeled Indications
Calcium supplementation: Use as a dietary supplement when calcium intake may be inadequate (eg, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, hypocalcemic rickets) (IOM 2011)
Use: Off Label
Hypoparathyroidism (management of chronic hypocalcemia)yes
Based on guidelines from the Endocrine Society and the European Society of Endocrinology for the management of hypoparathyroidism, supplemental calcium (in conjunction with vitamin D) is effective and recommended in the management of chronic hypocalcemia associated with hypoparathyroidism Endocrine Society [Brandi 2016], European Society of Endocrinology [Bollerslev 2015]. Calcium citrate is recommended (over other oral calcium preparations) for patients with achlorhydria or who are on chronic proton pump inhibitor therapy European Society of Endocrinology [Bollerslev 2015].
Dosage and Administration
Dosing: Adult
Hypoparathyroidism (management of chronic hypocalcemia) (off-label use): Oral: 500 mg to 1 g of elemental calcium administered 2 to 3 times daily; required dose can vary greatly and more frequent dosing may be necessary. Note: Use of IV calcium may be required in acute hypocalcemia with corrected calcium <7 mg/dL (≤1.75 mmol/L) or in severely symptomatic patients (eg, arrhythmias, broncho- or laryngospasm, tetany, seizures) (Bilezikian 2016).
Calcium supplementation (OTC labeling): Oral: 200 mg to 1 g/day (as elemental calcium) as a single dose or in divided doses. Note: The recommended daily intake of elemental calcium (from dietary sources and supplemental sources if needed) for optimal bone health is 1.2 g/day (postmenopausal women) or 1 to 1.2 g/day in other adults. It is preferred to obtain these daily amounts primarily through dietary sources. There is no evidence that intakes higher than these improve bone strength (AACE [Camacho 2016]; Endocrine Society [Watts 2012]; IOM 2011; NOF [Cosman 2014]).
Dosing: Pediatric
Note: Calcium citrate 1,000 mg = 211 mg elemental calcium = 10.5 mEq calcium
Hypocalcemia: Dose depends on clinical condition and serum calcium concentration: Dose expressed as elemental calcium: Limited data available: Infants and Children: Oral: 45 to 65 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses (Nelson 1996)
Administration
May administer with or without food; administration with food may increase absorption. Doses >600 mg (elemental calcium) per day should be divided for optimal absorption (AACE [Camacho 2016]).
Dietary Considerations
Dietary reference intake for calcium (IOM 2011):
0 to <6 months: Adequate intake: 200 mg elemental calcium daily
6 to 12 months: Adequate intake: 260 mg elemental calcium daily
1 to 3 years: RDA: 700 mg elemental calcium daily
4 to 8 years: RDA: 1,000 mg elemental calcium daily
9 to 18 years: RDA: 1,300 mg elemental calcium daily
19 to 50 years: RDA: 1,000 mg elemental calcium daily
Females ≥51 years: RDA: 1,200 mg elemental calcium daily
Males: 51 to 70 years: RDA: 1,000 mg elemental calcium daily; >70 years: RDA: 1,200 mg elemental calcium daily
Pregnancy/Lactating: RDA: Requirements are the same as in nonpregnant or nonlactating females
Storage
Store at room temperature.
Drug Interactions
Alpha-Lipoic Acid: Calcium Salts may decrease the absorption of Alpha-Lipoic Acid. Alpha-Lipoic Acid may decrease the absorption of Calcium Salts. Consider therapy modification
Aluminum Hydroxide: Citric Acid Derivatives may increase the absorption of Aluminum Hydroxide. Monitor therapy
Baloxavir Marboxil: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Baloxavir Marboxil. Avoid combination
Bictegravir: Calcium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Bictegravir. Management: Bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide can be administered with calcium salts under fed conditions, but coadministration with or 2 hours after a calcium salt is not recommended under fasting conditions. Consider therapy modification
Bisphosphonate Derivatives: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Bisphosphonate Derivatives. Management: Avoid administration of oral medications containing polyvalent cations within: 2 hours before or after tiludronate/clodronate/etidronate; 60 minutes after oral ibandronate; or 30 minutes after alendronate/risedronate. Exceptions: Pamidronate; Zoledronic Acid. Consider therapy modification
Calcium Acetate: Calcium Salts may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Calcium Acetate. Avoid combination
Calcium Channel Blockers: Calcium Salts may diminish the therapeutic effect of Calcium Channel Blockers. Monitor therapy
Cardiac Glycosides: Calcium Salts may enhance the arrhythmogenic effect of Cardiac Glycosides. Monitor therapy
Deferiprone: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Deferiprone. Management: Separate administration of deferiprone and oral medications or supplements that contain polyvalent cations by at least 4 hours. Consider therapy modification
DOBUTamine: Calcium Salts may diminish the therapeutic effect of DOBUTamine. Monitor therapy
Dolutegravir: Calcium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Dolutegravir. Management: Administer dolutegravir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after oral calcium. Administer dolutegravir/rilpivirine at least 4 hours before or 6 hours after oral calcium salts. Alternatively, dolutegravir and oral calcium can be taken together with food. Consider therapy modification
Eltrombopag: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Eltrombopag. Management: Administer eltrombopag at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after oral administration of any polyvalent cation containing product. Consider therapy modification
Estramustine: Calcium Salts may decrease the absorption of Estramustine. Consider therapy modification
Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE): May increase the serum concentration of Calcium Salts. Calcium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Multivitamins/Fluoride (with ADE). More specifically, calcium salts may impair the absorption of fluoride. Management: Avoid eating or drinking dairy products or consuming vitamins or supplements with calcium salts one hour before or after of the administration of fluoride. Consider therapy modification
Multivitamins/Minerals (with ADEK, Folate, Iron): May increase the serum concentration of Calcium Salts. Monitor therapy
PenicillAMINE: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of PenicillAMINE. Management: Separate the administration of penicillamine and oral polyvalent cation containing products by at least 1 hour. Consider therapy modification
Phosphate Supplements: Calcium Salts may decrease the absorption of Phosphate Supplements. Management: This applies only to oral phosphate and calcium administration. Administering oral phosphate supplements as far apart from the administration of an oral calcium salt as possible may be able to minimize the significance of the interaction. Exceptions: Sodium Glycerophosphate Pentahydrate. Consider therapy modification
Quinolones: Calcium Salts may decrease the absorption of Quinolones. Of concern only with oral administration of both agents. Exceptions: LevoFLOXacin (Oral Inhalation); Moxifloxacin (Systemic). Consider therapy modification
Raltegravir: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Raltegravir. Management: Administer raltegravir 2 hours before or 6 hours after administration of the polyvalent cations. Dose separation may not adequately minimize the significance of this interaction. Consider therapy modification
Strontium Ranelate: Calcium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Strontium Ranelate. Management: Separate administration of strontium ranelate and oral calcium salts by at least 2 hours in order to minimize this interaction. Consider therapy modification
Tetracyclines: Calcium Salts may decrease the serum concentration of Tetracyclines. Management: If coadministration of oral calcium with oral tetracyclines can not be avoided, consider separating administration of each agent by several hours. Exceptions: Eravacycline. Consider therapy modification
Thiazide and Thiazide-Like Diuretics: May decrease the excretion of Calcium Salts. Continued concomitant use can also result in metabolic alkalosis. Monitor therapy
Thyroid Products: Calcium Salts may diminish the therapeutic effect of Thyroid Products. Management: Separate the doses of the thyroid product and the oral calcium supplement by at least 4 hours. Consider therapy modification
Trientine: Polyvalent Cation Containing Products may decrease the serum concentration of Trientine. Management: Avoid concomitant administration of trientine and oral products that contain polyvalent cations. If oral iron supplements are required, separate the administration by 2 hours. If other oral polyvalent cations are needed, separate administration by 1 hour. Consider therapy modification
Vitamin D Analogs: Calcium Salts may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Vitamin D Analogs. Monitor therapy
Adverse Reactions
Frequency not defined. Mild hypercalcemia (calcium: >10.5 mg/dL) may be asymptomatic or manifest as anorexia, constipation, nausea, and vomiting. More severe hypercalcemia (calcium: >12 mg/dL) is associated with coma, confusion, delirium, and stupor.
Central nervous system: Headache
Endocrine & metabolic: Hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, increased thirst
Gastrointestinal: Abdominal pain, anorexia, constipation, nausea, vomiting
Warnings/Precautions
Concerns related to adverse effects:
- Gastrointestinal effects: Constipation, bloating, and gas are common with calcium supplements (especially carbonate salt).
- Hypercalcemia: Chronic hypercalcemia may result in generalized vascular and soft tissue calcification, exacerbate nephrolithiasis, and has been associated with increased mortality in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) (KDIGO 2017).
Disease-related concerns:
- Achlorhydria: Calcium absorption is impaired in achlorhydria; common in elderly. Citrate may be preferred because better absorbed.
- Hypoparathyroid disease: Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria are most likely to occur in hypoparathyroid patients receiving high doses of vitamin D.
- Kidney stones (calcium-containing): Use caution when administering calcium supplements to patients with a history of kidney stones.
- Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with renal failure to avoid hypercalcemia; frequent monitoring of serum calcium and phosphorus is necessary.
Concurrent drug therapy issues:
- Drug-drug interactions: Potentially significant interactions may exist, requiring dose or frequency adjustment, additional monitoring, and/or selection of alternative therapy. Consult drug interactions database for more detailed information.
Other warnings/precautions:
- Absorption: Taking calcium (≤500 mg) with food improves absorption.
- Appropriate product selection: Multiple salt forms of calcium exist; close attention must be paid to the salt form when ordering and administering calcium; incorrect selection or substitution of one salt for another without proper dosage adjustment may result in serious over or under dosing.
Monitoring Parameters
Monitor plasma calcium levels if using calcium salts as electrolyte supplements for deficiency.
Calcium supplementation in hypoparathyroidism (Endocrine Society [Brandi 2016]): Note: Frequency of measurement is dependent upon on how stable a patient is to a given dosage regimen with more frequent measurements (eg, weekly) required initially during dosage titration. Once patient is well controlled, monitoring may be required on a yearly or twice-yearly basis.
Serum calcium, phosphate, and magnesium; renal function (ie, 24-hour urinary calcium and creatinine, blood urea nitrogen [BUN]), measured CrCl or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR); renal imaging (every 5 years in asymptomatic patients with a history of renal lithiasis or calcinosis or more frequently as indicated); CNS imaging (basal ganglia and other sites of calcification), ophthalmologic exam, and/or BMD as clinically indicated
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Considerations
Calcium crosses the placenta. Intestinal absorption of calcium increases during pregnancy. The amount of calcium reaching the fetus is determined by maternal physiological changes. Calcium requirements are the same in pregnant and nonpregnant females (IOM, 2011).
Patient Education
What is this drug used for?
- It is used to treat or prevent low calcium levels.
- It may be given to you for other reasons. Talk with the doctor.
Frequently reported side effects of this drug
- Constipation
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Lack of appetite
Other side effects of this drug: Talk with your doctor right away if you have any of these signs of:
- Mood changes
- High calcium like weakness, confusion, fatigue, headache, nausea and vomiting, constipation, or bone pain
- Signs of a significant reaction like wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.
