Calvit Plus

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 glycerophosphate is an medication used to treat low levels of phosphate or calcium, as well as an ingredient in dental products to prevent dental caries.

Calcium glycerophosphate is found in OTC dental products such as toothpastes for the prevention of dental caries. As OTC products these do not have an official indication.

In prescription products it is indicated as a Calcium or phosphate donor for replacement or supplementation in patients with insufficient Calcium or phosphate.

Calvit Plus 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 supplementation

How Calvit Plus 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).

Calcium glycerophosphate in combination with sodium monofluorophosphate was found to reduce the acid solubility of enamel. This is thought to be due to increased uptake of fluoride in a non-alkali soluble form at the expense of a fraction remaining in the alkali-soluble form of calcium fluoride . It is also thought that calcium glycerophosphate enhances the remineralization effect of sodium monofluorophosphate leading to greater remineralization of enamel but the mechanism behind this is unknown.

Calcium glycerophosphate reduces the decrease in plaque pH produced by sucrose solutions . This may be due to the buffering action of donated phosphate which acts as an acceptor to three hydrogen ions to form biphosphate, dihydrogen phosphate, and finally phosphoric acid. As bisphosphate and dihydrogen phosphate are amphoteric, these molecules can act as buffers against both acids and bases.

Studies on plaque-modification by calcium glycerophosphate have been inconsistent . Redections in plaque weight and plaque area have been noted in separate studies but neither has been confirmed and no causative link has been established in regards to calcium glycerophosphate's anti-caries effect.

Calcium glycerophosphate donates Calcium and inorganic phosphate resulting in elevated levels of the ions in plaque . These ions are important components of the mineral structure of teeth. As such, their presence supports maintenance of healthy tooth structure and mineralization.

In electrolyte replacement calcium glycerophosphate again acts as a donor of Calcium and phosphate. See Calcium Phosphate for pharmacological descriptions of calcium and phosphate.

Dosage

Calvit Plus 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.

Side Effects

In rare cases, flatulence, diarrhoea or constipation.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

You find simplified version here Calvit Plus