An In-Depth Look at Calcium Carbonate’s Uses, Dosage, and Administration
Calcium carbonate, also known as Calci carbonat, is a commonly used compound with various applications. In this article, we will explore the general information, indications, precautions, and dosage of Calcium carbonate. Trusting a reputable source like Kienthucykhoa.com is crucial when seeking accurate and reliable information about medical topics.
General Information
- Commonly Known As: Calci carbonat
- Alternative Names: Calcio carbonato, Calciumcarbonat, Carbonate de calcium, Carbonato de calcio, Chalk, Kalziumkarbonat, Kohlensaurer kalk, Precipitated calcium carbonate
- Chemical Formula: CaCO3
- CAS ID: [471-34-1] (synthetic), [1317-65-3] (natural)
- Boiling Point: Decomposition
- Molecular Weight: 100.087 g/mol
Indications
Calcium carbonate is used for the following conditions:
- Digestive Disorders: It helps relieve symptoms of acid reflux, heartburn, and indigestion caused by excess stomach acid.
- Treating Low Blood Calcium: It is used to raise calcium levels in the blood.
- Calcium Supplementation: Calcium carbonate is utilized as a dietary supplement when the body’s calcium levels may be insufficient. This includes conditions such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and hypocalcemia (low calcium levels).
Contraindications
There is currently no known contraindication for the use of Calcium carbonate.
Precautions
While rare, some individuals may experience severe adverse effects, which can be life-threatening. If you encounter any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical attention or contact your healthcare provider:
- Severe constipation
- Allergic reactions such as rash, hives, itching, redness, swelling, blistering, with or without fever; wheezing; chest tightness; difficulty breathing, swallowing or speaking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Signs of high calcium levels, including weakness, confusion, fatigue, headache, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or bone pain.
- Mood changes
It is essential to monitor serum calcium levels, calcium excretion in urine, especially in patients with mild to moderate kidney dysfunction, prolonged treatment, or those with mild hypercalciuria and/or a history of kidney stones. Regular monitoring of blood creatinine and other renal function tests is recommended, particularly during long-term treatment and/or in patients being treated with cardiac glycosides or diuretics.
Patients should report any signs/symptoms of milk-alkali syndrome, such as frequent urination, continuous headaches, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, unusual fatigue/weakness, elevated blood calcium, alkalosis, or renal failure.
Pregnancy
During Pregnancy
Calcium is essential for the developing fetus, and calcium needs increase during pregnancy. Calcium absorption in the intestines and excretion through urine are enhanced during pregnancy. Fetal calcium intake is determined by maternal physiological changes that are generally not affected by maternal diet or supplements.
Calcium carbonate can be used to treat heartburn or acid reflux in pregnant women when used with the recommended dosage and in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle changes.
High-dose calcium carbonate should be avoided during pregnancy. Prolonged use of high-dose calcium carbonate as an antacid during pregnancy can lead to low blood calcium and seizures in newborns or severe hypercalcemia.
During Breastfeeding
There is no information available regarding the use of calcium carbonate during breastfeeding.
Adverse Drug Reactions
Common:
- High blood calcium levels
- Increased urinary calcium excretion
Uncommon:
- Loss of appetite, milk-alkali syndrome, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, belching, acid reflux, or indigestion
- Rare: Vomiting, itching, rash, urticaria, renal impairment, continuous headaches
Frequency Unknown:
- Constipation, abdominal discomfort or nausea, abdominal pain, lack of appetite, alkalosis, allergic reaction, hypersensitivity, vasculitis, asthma, weakness
Dosage and Administration
Adults
- Treating Low Blood Calcium: Take 1250 mg orally 2-3 times a day with meals.
- Indigestion, Heartburn: Chewable tablets
- Recommended dosage: Take 1000-3531 mg orally up to 4 times a day as needed.
- Maximum dosage: 6750-7500 mg/day
- Duration of treatment: up to 2 weeks
- Chewing gum:
- Recommended dosage: Take 500 mg (1 piece) orally every 2-4 hours as needed.
- Maximum dosage: 6000 mg/day (12 pieces/day)
- Duration of treatment: up to 2 weeks
- Liquid suspension:
- Recommended dosage: Take 1250 mg orally as needed for symptoms.
- Maximum dosage: 7500 mg/day
- Duration of treatment: up to 2 weeks
- Powder packets:
- Recommended dosage: Take 1000 mg (1 packet) orally as needed for symptoms.
- Maximum dosage: 8000 mg/day (8 packets/day)
- Duration of treatment: up to 2 weeks
- Calcium Supplementation:
- Take 500 mg to 4 g/day as calcium carbonate (equivalent to 200 mg to 1.6 g of elemental calcium) divided into 1-3 doses daily.
Children
- Safety and effectiveness in patients under 2 years of age have not been established.
- Indigestion, Heartburn:
- Chewable tablets:
- 2-5 years or 10-21 kg:
- Recommended dosage: Take 400 mg as needed, up to 3 times a day.
- Maximum dosage: 1200 mg/day
- Duration of treatment: up to 2 weeks
- 6-11 years or 22-43 kg:
- Recommended dosage: Take 800 mg as needed, up to 3 times a day.
- Maximum dosage: 2400 mg/day
- Duration of treatment: up to 2 weeks
- 12 years and above:
- Recommended dosage: Take 1000-2000 mg as needed, up to 3 times a day.
- Maximum dosage: 7500 mg/day
- Duration of treatment: up to 2 weeks
- 2-5 years or 10-21 kg:
- Oral powder packets:
- 2-5 years or 10-21 kg:
- Recommended dosage: Take 375 mg as needed, up to 2 times a day.
- 6-11 years or 22-43 kg:
- Recommended dosage: Take 750 mg as needed, once daily.
- Duration of treatment: up to 2 weeks
- 2-5 years or 10-21 kg:
- Chewing gum:
- 12 years and above:
- Recommended dosage: Take 500 mg (1 piece) every 2-4 hours as needed.
- Maximum dosage: 6000 mg/day (12 pieces/day)
- Duration of treatment: up to 2 weeks
- 12 years and above:
- Chewable tablets:
- Calcium Supplementation through Diet:
- Children 2-4 years: 750 mg calcium carbonate twice daily.
- Children ≥4 years and adolescents: 750 mg calcium carbonate three times daily.
Other Considerations
- Pregnancy: Indigestion
- Maximum daily dosage: 4500-5000 mg/day
- Administration:
- Chew tablets thoroughly before swallowing; do not swallow whole. Drink a full glass of water after taking regular tablets or capsules. Some liquid forms of calcium carbonate require shaking before use.
Overdose and Management
Overdose and Toxicity
No information available.
Management of Overdose
Contact medical personnel immediately.
Drug Interactions
Calcium can interfere with the absorption of certain medications. If you are taking other medications, it is advisable to take them at least 2 hours before or 4-6 hours after consuming calcium carbonate.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Calcium carbonate is an inorganic salt that neutralizes hydrochloric acid in gastric secretions. It also inhibits pepsin activity by increasing pH and through adsorption. Protective effects on epithelial cells may occur via increased bicarbonate ions and prostaglandin production. The neutralization of hydrochloric acid leads to the production of calcium chloride, carbon dioxide, and water. Approximately 90% of calcium chloride is converted to poorly soluble calcium salts (such as calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate).
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption
Maximal absorption occurs at doses of 500 mg or less when taken with food. Oral bioavailability depends on intestinal pH, the presence of food, and the dose.
Distribution
After absorption, calcium is rapidly distributed to bone tissue and extracellular fluids. Bones contain approximately 99% of the body’s calcium, with the remaining 1% evenly distributed between intracellular and extracellular fluids.
Metabolism
No information available.
Excretion
Primarily excreted through the feces. The majority of calcium filtered by the kidneys is reabsorbed in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle and in the proximal and distal convoluted tubules. Additionally, some calcium is excreted through sweat glands.
