Calcium Acetate
About Calcium Acetate
Calcium Acetate is used to control elevated phosphorus levels in people with kidney disease who are on dialysis (medical treatment that cleans the blood when the kidneys are not working properly). Hyperphosphatemia means you have extra phosphorus in your blood.
Calcium Acetate contains calcium acetate, which works by binding phosphorus that you get from foods in your diet and prevents it from being absorbed into your bloodstream.
You may experience nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (being sick), as well as constipation and diarrhoea. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention. However, if the side effects persist, contact your doctor.
Before taking Calcium Acetate, let your doctor know if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Inform your doctor before taking Calcium Acetate if you are pregnant or breastfeeding; if you have lactose intolerance; if you have high levels of calcium in your blood or urine, or have low levels of phosphate in your blood.
Uses of Calcium Acetate
Medicinal Benefits
- Prevents mineral imbalance-related bone problems, such as weak bones and fractures.
- Reduces calcium-phosphate accumulation, protecting the heart and blood vessels.
- Reduces symptoms of chronic renal disease, including muscle weakness, bone pain, and itching.
- Keeps the body's calcium and phosphate balance in check.
- Improves dialysis outcomes for renal dialysis patients.
- Aids in avoiding secondary hyperparathyroidism, a frequent side effect of renal failure.
- Enhances individual long-term health and overall quality of life in individuals with chronic renal disease.
Directions for Use
- Calcium Acetate can be taken with meals to prevent stomach upset or as advised by your doctor.
- It is usually taken twice daily; however, follow your doctor’s advice regarding the dosage and duration.
- Swallow the medicine as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Calcium Acetate
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Vomiting (being sick)
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Rash
Medicines Containing this Salt
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Drug Warnings
- Before taking the Calcium Acetate, inform your doctor if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
- If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, or if you have high levels of calcium in your blood or urine or low levels of phosphate in your blood.
- Long-term high calcium levels in your blood may lead to a build-up of calcium in your blood vessels or soft tissues.
- Your blood calcium levels will be checked on a regular basis by your doctor. If your levels are too high, your dose will be lowered, or your therapy will be stopped immediately.
- Other medications, especially antibiotics (such as norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, or tetracyclines), diuretics (such as thiazides), and bisphosphonates (used to treat bone problems), should not be taken with Calcium Acetate unless prescribed by a doctor.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines, as there may be an interaction.
- Antibiotics (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. - Vitamin D supplements (cholecalciferol)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of hypercalcemia (high calcium levels). - Water pills (hydrochlorothiazide)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of hypercalcemia (high calcium levels).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid the consumption of high-phosphorus foods.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Inform your doctor if you have a history of the following conditions before taking Calcium Acetate, as it may worsen your condition or cause complications.
- Phosphate or Calcium Imbalance
- Arrhythmias
- Malabsorption Syndrome,
- Renal dysfunction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid the consumption of alcohol as it may cause some side effects and make Calcium Acetate less effective.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorCalcium Acetate should not be used in pregnancy unless clearly necessary. So, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorCalcium Acetate should not be used in nursing mothers unless clearly necessary. Inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedCalcium Acetate does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
consult your doctorIf you have liver problems, inform your doctor before taking Calcium Acetate. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine based on your condition.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have a pre-existing or a history of kidney conditions, inform your doctor before taking Calcium Acetate. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine based on your condition.
Children
consult your doctorSafety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established. Please consult your doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Healthy diet:
- To help regulate phosphate levels, limit intake of dairy, cheese, nuts, seeds, cola drinks, and processed foods.
- Consume foods that are good for your kidneys, such as fresh fruits like apples, guava, and cherries, as well as vegetables like bottle gourd and cucumber.
- Limit your intake of high-quality protein, such as lean chicken, fish, and egg whites, especially if you have chronic kidney disease.
- To promote heart and kidney health, avoid processed snacks, pickles, and excessive salt.
Lifestyle changes:
- Maintain an active lifestyle by engaging in mild exercises like stretching or walking to promote heart and bone health.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco, as these can exacerbate renal issues and alter mineral balance.
- Avoid problems by keeping diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease under control.
- Keep your weight in check and manage your stress.
Special Advise
To rule out the possibility of electrolyte imbalance, electrolyte levels should be monitored on a regular basis.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
High phosphorus or Hyperphosphatemia: High phosphorus, also called hyperphosphatemia, means you have extra phosphorus in your blood. High phosphorus is often a sign of kidney damage. High phosphorus levels often do not cause symptoms on their own. However, excess phosphorus in your blood can remove calcium from your bones and other tissues, leading to low calcium (hypocalcemia). Low calcium causes symptoms such as muscle cramps, bone and joint discomfort, weak bones, and itchy skin or rash.
FAQs
Calcium Acetate is used to manage elevated phosphate levels in the blood of people with chronic kidney disease. It helps manage high blood phosphate levels and reduces the risk of complications.
Calcium Acetate controls phosphate levels by removing phosphate from the food you eat before it enters the bloodstream. Thus, it helps prevent high phosphate levels in the bloodstream.
High phosphorus levels often do not cause symptoms on their own. However, excess phosphorus in your blood can remove calcium from your bones and other tissues, leading to low calcium (hypocalcemia). Low calcium can cause symptoms such as muscle cramps, bone and joint discomfort, weak bones, and itchy skin or a rash.
It is not recommended for use if you are allergic to any components present in Calcium Acetate, if you have high levels of calcium in your blood or urine, or if you have low levels of phosphate in your blood.
Doctors will test your blood phosphate level to see if you have excess phosphorus. If your phosphate level is higher than 4.5 mg/dL, your doctor may order additional tests to rule out kidney disease.
Calcium Acetate may cause side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Milk, paneer, cheese, curd, and other dairy products, as well as Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and kale, are good sources of calcium.
If you have a kidney problem or a kidney stone, tissue calcification (deposit of calcium in body tissues) and if you are taking water pills, medicine for heart failure or any other calcium-containing medicines or supplements, inform your doctor.
Yes, Calcium Acetate is a health supplement and taking too much of it can be harmful. An overdose can cause stomach discomfort. If you think you have taken too much of Calcium Acetate, seek medical help immediately.
