Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3
About Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3
Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 is a supplement used to prevent and treat low calcium levels in the body. It is commonly prescribed for people who do not get enough calcium from their diet, as well as those managing bone loss or osteoporosis. By supporting bone structure, this medicine helps maintain skeletal strength throughout your life.
To get the best results, you should take it consistently at the same time each day as directed by your healthcare provider. Combining this daily routine with a balanced, nutrient-rich diet and weight-bearing exercise will further enhance your bone health. It is generally recommended to take this supplement with food, especially if it contains calcium carbonate, as food and stomach acid help improve its absorption. Some forms, such as calcium citrate, can be taken with or without food. Follow your doctor's advice or the instructions on the product label.
While taking some people may experience mild side effects like constipation or stomach upset. These symptoms are usually temporary, but you should consult your doctor immediately if you notice serious issues such as severe nausea, unusual fatigue, or muscle weakness.
Before you start taking talk to your doctor if you have a history of kidney stones, kidney disease, or high levels of calcium in your blood. Do not take this if you have been diagnosed with hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) or severe kidney failure without strict medical supervision.
This supplement can interact with certain antibiotics, thyroid medications, alcohol, and tobacco, which may reduce how well your body absorbs the nutrients. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing multiple health conditions as an older adult, consult your doctor or pharmacist to ensure this medicine is safe for your specific needs.
Uses of Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3
Medicinal Benefits
Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 helps you maintain an active, independent lifestyle by reinforcing your skeletal framework. By keeping your bones dense and strong, this supplement reduces the daily worry of fractures and physical frailty, allowing you to move with greater confidence and comfort. Other key benefits of Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 include:
- Stronger teeth and bones: It ensures that your body has a steady supply of the building blocks needed to repair and maintain hard tissues.
- Improved muscle and nerve function: It supports the vital electrical signals that keep your muscles contracting smoothly and your nerves communicating properly.
- Faster recovery: It assists in the natural healing process of bones after minor injuries or stress fractures.
Directions for Use
- Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 can be taken with food to improve its absorption.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not break, chew, or crush it.
Storage
Side Effects of Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Constipation
- Upset stomach or mild nausea
- Gas or bloating
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, and severe dizziness or trouble breathing (Signs of an allergic reaction)
- Severe nausea, persistent vomiting, loss of appetite, unusual weight loss, extreme thirst, or frequent urination (Signs of too much calcium in the blood)
- Mental or mood changes, such as confusion or unusual tiredness
- Severe stomach pain or difficulty swallowing
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check your levels: Have your blood calcium and kidney function checked regularly if you are on long-term therapy with Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3.
- Watch the timing: If you take certain thyroid medications or antibiotics (like tetracyclines or quinolones), take Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 at least 2 to 4 hours apart from them to avoid absorption issues.
- Avoid taking with high-fibre meals: Foods high in oxalic acid (spinach, rhubarb) or phytic acid (whole grains) can reduce the amount of calcium your body absorbs. Avoid eating these within 2 hours of taking your supplement.
- Inspect the tablets: Always check the physical appearance of the tablets before taking them; do not use them if they are discoloured, cracked, or showing signs of dampness.
- Limit self-treatment: Do not take other over-the-counter calcium or vitamin D supplements alongside Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 without consulting your doctor, as this could lead to an accidental overdose.
- Avoid excess vitamin D: Taking high doses of vitamin D3 for a prolonged period can cause vitamin D toxicity (hypervitaminosis D), leading to high calcium levels in the blood. Do not take additional vitamin D supplements unless recommended by your doctor.
Drug Interactions
Inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines, as they may interact.
- Antibiotics (Tetracyclines and Quinolones): Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 can bind to these medications in your digestive tract, significantly reducing their absorption and effectiveness.
- Thyroid Medications (Levothyroxine): Taking this supplement at the same time as levothyroxine can lower the amount of thyroid hormone your body absorbs.
- Iron and Zinc Supplements: High doses of calcium can interfere with the absorption of these other minerals when taken together.
- Thiazide Diuretics: Taking these water pills with Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 may increase the risk of developing excessively high calcium levels in your blood.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDrinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; hence, limiting the alcohol intake while using Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorConsult your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before recommending Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorConsult your doctor before taking Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 if you are breastfeeding. Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 can pass into the breast milk. If Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 is used during breastfeeding, please monitor the serum calcium levels of the mother and the infant.
Driving
cautionElemental Calcium+vitamin D3 usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery. If you experience any unmanageable side effects while using Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3, do not drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3. Hepatic impairment/liver disease can alter the metabolic and therapeutic activity of certain Vitamin D forms.
Kidney
cautionYou should seek a doctor's advice before starting Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 if you have kidney diseases like kidney stones or are undergoing dialysis. It should be used with caution in patients undergoing dialysis to maintain adequate phosphorus levels and avoid ectopic calcification (calcium deposition).
Children
consult your doctorIf you have any concerns regarding the use of Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 for children, please consult a doctor.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat calcium-rich foods: Incorporate dairy products (milk, yoghurt, cheese), leafy green vegetables (broccoli, kale), and calcium-fortified foods into your daily meals.
- Get sensible sun exposure: Spend a short amount of time in natural sunlight several times a week to help your body naturally synthesise vitamin D.
- Engage in weight-bearing exercise: Activities like walking, jogging, hiking, or weight training help stimulate bone cells and maintain bone density.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol: Excessive intake of caffeine and alcohol can interfere with how your body absorbs and retains calcium.
- Quit smoking: Tobacco use is linked to decreased bone density and a higher risk of fractures; quitting can significantly improve your bone health.
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: Osteoporosis is a bone disease that weakens and makes bones brittle by decreasing bone density.
Tetany: A disease condition due to low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia) in the body that causes cramps and spasms in the hands, feet, and larynx (voice box).
Osteomalacia/Rickets: Osteomalacia/Rickets disease is caused by softening and weakening of bones in children due to inadequate vitamin D.
Hypoparathyroidism: It is a disease characterised by low parathyroid hormone levels. This can cause low calcium levels and trigger tetany (muscle cramps, spasms, or tremors).
FAQs
Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 is primarily used to treat nutritional deficiencies. It effectively treats various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, like Vitamin D deficiency.
Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 consists of two vitamins: elemental calcium and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Elemental calcium is a mineral that is used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency. It provides essential nutrients to maintain bone formation. Vitamin D3 is a steroid hormone produced in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light or obtained from food sources. It helps maintain blood calcium and phosphorus levels and the mineralization of bone.
Antacids may increase the absorption of Calcium from Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3. Hence, it is advised to take Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 two hours before or four hours after taking antacids.
Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 is used to increase low levels of calcium in the body. Hence, it is not advised to use Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 during hypercalcaemia since it causes the overdose of calcium, leading to kidney stones and other effects.
Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 can cause kidney stones due to excess calcium deposition when used for a prolonged period. Please consult your doctor before taking Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 as a daily supplement if you have any kidney problems or a history of kidney stones.
Milk is considered to be the best source of calcium. You can take Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 with milk.
The food sources of Vitamin D3 and Calcium include cheese, milk, paneer, curd, and other dairy products, kale, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and milk products.
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones as it helps the body absorb calcium, preventing weakness and fractures. It raises vitamin D levels in your blood. It boosts the immune system to fight infections, may help improve mood and reduce depression, and keeps muscles strong, reducing the risk of falls. You can get vitamin D from sunlight, foods like fatty fish, or supplements if necessary.
Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 causes side effects such as constipation and stomach upset. Please consult a doctor if the side effects persist for longer durations.
Many multivitamins already contain calcium or vitamin D, so combining them with Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 could lead to an excessive intake of these nutrients. It is best to review all your daily supplements with your healthcare provider to avoid taking too much. Talk to your doctor.
It is generally best to take Elemental Calcium+vitamin D3 with food because stomach acid produced during a meal helps your body break down and absorb the calcium. Taking it with food also reduces the risk of stomach irritation. Talk to your doctor.
Calcium and vitamin D are crucial during pregnancy, but your dosage must be carefully managed to ensure safety for both you and your baby. Do not start this supplement without professional guidance. Talk to your doctor.
Large amounts of caffeine can lower calcium absorption and increase calcium loss in your urine. Try to limit your caffeine intake or space your coffee consumption at least two hours apart from taking your supplement. Talk to your doctor.
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