Calcifort

Uses

Adult: One Calcium Carbonate 500 tablet or as directed by the physician. For the prevention of osteoporosis, 1-3 Calcium Carbonate 500 tablet is recommended generally as a dietary supplement . Doses for children is half of those for adults. A large dose should not be taken without physician\'s advice.

Adolescent: One to two Calcium Carbonate tablet daily.

Children: One Calcium Carbonate tablet daily.

Calcium Lactate is used for heartburn, calcium supplement, calcium deficiencies.

Calcifort is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Acid Reflux, Acid indigestion, Bloating, Calcium Deficiency, Calcium Metabolism Disorders, Calcium and Vitamin D Deficiencies, Colic, Dyspepsia, Gastric Ulcer, Gastroesophageal Reflux, Heartburn, Hemorrhoids, Hot Flushes, Hyperacidity, Hyperphosphataemia, Hypovitaminosis D, Low Bone Density, Osteodystrophy, Osteomalacia, Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal Osteoporosis, Postoperative Gas, Proctitis, Vertebral Fractures, Calcium loss, Gastrointestinal ulceration, Dietary supplementationCalcium Deficiency

How Calcifort works

Calcium carbonate is a basic inorganic salt that acts by neutralizing hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions. It also inhibits the action of pepsin by increasing the pH and via adsorption. Cytoprotective effects may occur through increases in bicarbonate ion (HCO₃^-) and prostaglandins. Neutralization of hydrochloric acid results in the formation of calcium chloride, carbon dioxide and water. Approximately 90% of calcium chloride is converted to insoluble calcium salts (e.g. calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate).

In aqueous environments such as the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, calcium lactate will dissociate into calcium cation and lactic acid anions, the conjugate base of lactic acid. Lactic acid is a naturally-occurring compound that serves as fuel or energy in mammals by acting as an ubiquitous intermediate in the metabolic pathways . Lactic acid diffuses through the muscles and is transported to the liver by the bloodstream to participate in gluconeogenesis .

Dosage

Calcifort dosage

Calcium Carbonate is always used orally and when used as an antacid the recommended doses for adults are equivalent to 540-2000 mg Calcium Carbonate per day, doses for children being half of those for adults. As a dietary supplement, such as for the prevention of osteoporosis, 1250-3750 mg Calcium Carbonate (500-1500 mg calcium) daily is recommended in general, but again this will need to be tailored to the individual patient depending on any specific disease such as Calcium deficiency, malabsorption or parathyroid function. In pregnancy and lactation therecommended daily dose of calcium is 1200-1500 mg. In chronic renal failure the doses used vary from 2.5 - 9.0 gm Calcium Carbonate per day and need to be adjusted according to the individual patient. To maximize effective phosphate binding in this context the Calcium Carbonate should be given with meals.

19-50 year: 1,000 mg elemental Calcium Lactate per day.

>50 year: 1,200 mg elemental Calcium Lactate per day.

Side Effects

In rare cases, flatulence, diarrhoea or constipation.

Gl discomfort e.g. nausea, vomiting, constipation; bradycardia, arrhythmias. Dry mouth, increased thirst or increased urination. Mental confusion, milk-alkali syndrome.

Toxicity

The LDLo of calcium lactate pentahydrate following intravenous administration in mouse is 140 mg/kg .

Precaution

In the presence of mild hypercalciuria, excretion levels must be carefully monitored and where necessary the dose of calcium carbonate should be reduced or treatment should be stopped. Patients with a history of stone formation should also be recommended to increase their fluid intake. High dosage of vitamin D should be avoided during Calcium therapy unless specifically indicated.

Sarcoidosis; history of nephrolithiasis. Avoid IV admin of calcium in patients on cardiac glycosides. Increased risk of hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria in hypoparathyroid patients receiving high doses of vitamin D. Caution when used in patients with history of kidney stones. Patients should be advised to administer vitamin D concurrently to optimise calcium absorption. Pregnancy.

Interaction

Oral calcium can reduce internal absorption of tetracycline and fluoride prepa-rations and an interval of at least 3 hours should therefore be allowed between ingestion of these medications. Vitamin D increases internal absorption of calcium. The intestinal uptake of calcium may be reduced by concomitant ingestion of certain foods (e.g. spinach, milk and milk products).

May reduce the efficacy of calcium-channel blockers. Concurrent admin of IV calcium salt with cardiac glycosides may lead to serious adverse events. Increased risk of hypercalcaemia when used with thiazide diuretics. May reduce absorption of tetracycline, alendronate, atenolol, iron, quinolone antibiotics, sodium fluoride and zinc.

Volume of Distribution

Calcium is rapidly distributed taken up by skeletal tissues following absorption and distribution into extracellular fluids. Bone contains 99% of the body's calcium and the remaining 1% is approximately equally distributed between intracellular and extracellular fluids.

The majority of calcium absorbed (99%) is stored in the skeleton and teeth for structural integrity .

Elimination Route

Maximal absorption occurs at doses of 500 mg or less taken with food. Oral bioavailability depends on intestinal pH, the presence of food and dosage.

In order to be absorbed, calcium must be in its freely soluble form (Ca2+) or bound to a soluble organic molecule. Calcium absorption mainly occurs at the duodenum and proximal jejunum due to more acidic pH and the abundance of the calcium binding proteins . The mean calcium absorption is about 25% of calcium intake (range is 10 – 40%) in the small intestine, and is mediated by both passive diffusion and active transport .

Half Life

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Clearance

No pharmacokinetic data available.

Elimination Route

Excreted mainly in the feces. The majority of renally filtered calcium is reabsorbed in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle and the proximal and distal convoluted tubules. Also secreted by sweat glands.

Following oral administration to a human volunteer, 20 to 30% of a dose of lactic acid of up to 3000 mg was excreted via the urine during a period of 14 hours .

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnant women : Calcium containing drugs are used widely in pregnancy by way of calcium supplement or antacid therapy. No relationship between malformation in general and calcium exposure has been noted.

Lactating mother : There is no contraindication to the use of calcium carbonate in lactating mother.

Pregnancy Category-C. Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity to the Calcium Carbonate or any inactive ingredient of the medication. Hypercalcemia (e.g. in hyperparathyroidism, overdosage of vitamin D, demineralizing tumours such as plasmacytomas and bone metastases), severe hypercalcuria, several renal insufficiency.

Conditions associated with hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria.

Special Warning

USE IN CHILDREN: Calcium carbonate has been extensively studied in children and infants with chronic renal failure and is both safe and effective.

USE IN ELDERLY: In case of elderly patients with renal failure when calcium carbonate is taken constipation may be troublesome one for this group. For this reason, monitoring of serum calcium and phosphate is of course indicated for elderly patients.

Storage Condition

Store in a cool, dry place in controlled room temperature.

Innovators Monograph

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