Calcium+vitamin D3
About Calcium+vitamin D3
Calcium+vitamin D3 is a nutritional supplement primarily used to treat low blood calcium levels. It effectively treats various conditions such as vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis (weak bones), latent tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels), and rickets or osteomalacia (softening of bones due to low calcium).
Calcium+vitamin D3 contains Calcium and Vitamin D3. Calcium+vitamin D3 works by increasing calcium and vitamin D levels in the body, supporting essential functions needed for bone formation and maintenance. Together, they help prevent bone loss, support bone growth, and reduce muscle cramps caused by low calcium levels.
Calcium+vitamin D3 is likely safe to consume. In some cases, it may cause common side effects like constipation, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, tiredness, and headache. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, you are advised to talk to a doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
Take Calcium+vitamin D3 as advised. Your physician will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. You can take Calcium+vitamin D3 with or without food. It is advised not to take more than the recommended dose of Calcium+vitamin D3. Do not chew, crush or break the medicine.
Inform your physician if you are allergic to Calcium+vitamin D3. Let your doctor know if you have any liver/kidney disease, heart disease, kidney stones and hypervitaminosis D (having too much vitamin D) hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), heart, kidney, liver, or blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, or malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrients from food) before starting Calcium+vitamin D3. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Calcium+vitamin D3. This supplement should only be used in children when advised by a doctor. Calcium+vitamin D3 is safe to use in children when recommended by the paediatrician.
Uses of Calcium+vitamin D3
Medicinal Benefits
- Calcium+vitamin D3 offers several medicinal benefits by helping to maintain strong and healthy bones through the prevention and treatment of calcium and vitamin D deficiencies.
- It reduces the risk of fractures, particularly in individuals with weakened bones such as those affected by osteoporosis.
- Calcium+vitamin D3 supports proper bone growth in children and adolescents, and aids in managing various bone disorders, such as rickets and osteomalacia.
- It also helps relieve muscle cramps caused by low calcium levels and improves vitamin D status, which is important for immune function and overall bone health.
Directions for Use
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Place the tablet in your mouth, chew thoroughly, and swallow.
- Do not swallow it as a whole.
Storage
Side Effects of Calcium+vitamin D3
- Constipation
- Stomach upset
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Weakness
- Tiredness
- Headache
Drug Warnings
Tell your physician if you are allergic to Calcium+vitamin D3. It may contain sugar or aspartame. Hence, caution should be taken in diabetes and phenylketonuria (increased levels of an amino acid called phenylalanine). Inform your doctor if you have any history of hypercalcemia (increased calcium levels in the body), kidney disease, liver disease, electrolyte imbalance, heart disease, kidney stones and hypervitaminosis D (having too much vitamin D) before taking Calcium+vitamin D3.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their physician before taking Calcium+vitamin D3. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. Calcium+vitamin D3 is safe to use in children above 2 years of age only at the recommended dose. Your paediatrician will decide the dose of the medicine based on your child's age and body weight.
Store Calcium+vitamin D3 at room temperature away from sunlight. Do not chew, crush or break the medicine. Keep the medicine out of reach of children. Do not take more than the recommended dose of medicine, as too much of vitamin D intake can lead to hypercalcemia (increased calcium levels in the body). It is always important to check for the expiry of the medicine. Discard the medicine if it reaches the expiry date.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Calcium+vitamin D3 may interact with certain antiretroviral medications (e.g., cabotegravir, dolutegravir), anti-cancer medications (e.g., erdafitinib, gefitinib, infigratinib), certain medications used to treat ulcers (e.g., sucralfate), and certain medications used to treat symptomatic anaemia (e.g., vadadustat).
Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol as they might inhibit calcium absorption.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Calcium+vitamin D3 may interact with certain medical conditions including, cardiovascular disorders, phosphate calcifications (elevated serum concentrations), malabsorption, renal dysfunction, sarcoidosis (a disease where the body's immune system overreacts), electrolyte imbalance, hypercalcemia (abnormally high calcium levels), renal dysfunction and hepatobiliary dysfunction (a group of diseases of the liver and biliary system).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeDrinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; hence, it is advised to limit/avoid alcohol intake while using Calcium+vitamin D3.
Pregnancy
safe if suggestedCalcium+vitamin D3 is considered safe to be used during pregnancy. The doctor will advise you on the dose and duration based on your medical needs.
Breast Feeding
safe if suggestedPlease consult your doctor before taking Calcium+vitamin D3 if you are breastfeeding. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before recommending Calcium+vitamin D3.
Driving
safeCalcium+vitamin D3 usually does not interfere with your driving ability.
Liver
cautionBefore taking Calcium+vitamin D3, let your doctor know if you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease. Liver disease can alter the metabolic and therapeutic activity of certain forms of Vitamin D.
Kidney
cautionIf you have kidney-related conditions such as kidney stones or are undergoing dialysis, inform your doctor before starting Calcium+vitamin D3. They will carefully assess the potential benefits and risks based on your specific health situation.
Children
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor for using Calcium+vitamin D3 in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese or milk-based custard in your diet.
- Eat a serving of broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables daily.
- Include the best dietary sources of vitamin D, such as fish liver oils and vitamin D-fortified milk.
- Snack on calcium-rich nuts like Brazil nuts or almonds.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds over your food, vegetables and salads. Sesame seeds are high in calcium.
- Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.
- Replace the meat with tofu or tempeh for extra calcium in your food.
Special Advise
- Regularly check your Vitamin D levels through blood tests as your doctor advises.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Vitamin D deficiency: When a person cannot get enough Vitamin D through food and exposure to sunlight, it leads to vitamin D deficiency. It often leads to thin, brittle or misshapen bones.
Osteoporosis: It is a bone disease that makes the bones weak and brittle by decreasing bone density.
Tetany: A disease condition due to low calcium levels (hypocalcaemia) in the body that causes cramps and spasms in the hands, feet, and larynx (voice box).
Osteomalacia/Rickets: A disease caused by softening and weakening of bones in children due to inadequate vitamin D.
Hypoparathyroidism: It is a disease characterized by low levels of parathyroid hormone. This can cause low calcium levels and trigger tetany (muscle cramps, spasms or tremors).
FAQs
Calcium+vitamin D3 is used to prevent and treat calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, support bone health, manage conditions such as osteoporosis and other bone disorders, and relieve muscle cramps and spasms caused by low calcium levels (latent tetany).
Calcium+vitamin D3 provides the body with essential calcium and vitamin D needed for healthy bones and muscles. Calcium is a key mineral that builds and maintains bone strength, while vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium more effectively from food and supplements. Together, they ensure adequate calcium levels in the blood, support bone growth and repair, and help prevent muscle cramps caused by low calcium.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and follow your usual dosage.
Milk is considered to be the best source of calcium. You can take Calcium+vitamin D3 with milk. However, ensure you're not exceeding your daily calcium intake from combined sources (supplements + diet), as too much calcium can lead to kidney stones or other issues. Consult your doctor if you have specific dietary restrictions or conditions (e.g., kidney disease).
If you have high calcium levels in your blood (hypercalcaemia), you should not take calcium + vitamin D3 unless your doctor tells you to. It can make the condition worse and cause problems like kidney stones or other health issues. Always check with your doctor first.
Antacids may increase the absorption of Calcium from Calcium+vitamin D3. Hence, taking Calcium+vitamin D3 two hours before or four hours after taking antacids is advised.
When taken as directed, Calcium+vitamin D3 can be good for healthy kidneys, but excess intake may lead to hypercalcemia, which can cause kidney stones. If you have kidney diseases or are undergoing dialysis, consult a doctor before taking Calcium+vitamin D3.
Calcium+vitamin D3 can be taken daily if your doctor advises, based on your individual health condition. Always follow the doctor's advice to ensure safety.
Common side effects of Calcium+vitamin D3 may include constipation, stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, weakness, tiredness, and headache. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, you are advised to talk to a doctor if the side effects persist or worsen.
