Calcium Acetate
About Calcium Acetate
Calcium Acetate is an oral medication primarily used to lower high phosphorus levels in the blood of patients with severe kidney disease who are on dialysis. When kidneys are not working properly, they cannot remove excess phosphorus, which can lead to serious bone and heart problems. This medicine works by binding to phosphorus in your food so your body does not absorb it.
To get the best results, you must take Calcium Acetate consistently with every meal and snack. Because it works directly on the food you eat, taking it without food makes it ineffective. Along with taking this medicine, following a low-phosphorus diet recommended by your healthcare provider is crucial for managing your condition.
Some people may experience mild side effects, such as mild constipation, nausea, or an upset stomach. However, you should contact your doctor immediately if you experience severe symptoms like confusion, muscle weakness, or extreme tiredness, which can be signs of excessively high calcium levels in your blood.
Talk to your doctor before taking Calcium Acetate if you have any pre-existing health conditions, especially a history of kidney stones or high calcium levels. Do not take this if you already have high calcium levels in your blood, as this medication can make your condition worse.
This medicine can interact with several other drugs, including certain antibiotics and thyroid medications, by preventing your body from absorbing them properly. While there is no direct interaction with alcohol, drinking alcohol can worsen dehydration and electrolyte balance in kidney disease. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, as your dosing or monitoring needs may differ.
Uses of Calcium Acetate
Medicinal Benefits
Calcium Acetate helps control high phosphate levels in people with chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis. By lowering phosphate absorption from food, it helps maintain a healthier mineral balance and reduces the risk of complications affecting the bones, blood vessels, and other organs.
- Helps control blood phosphate levels: Reduces the amount of phosphate absorbed from food, helping keep phosphorus levels within the target range.
- Supports bone health: Maintaining healthy phosphate levels helps protect bones, reducing the risk of bone pain, fractures, and other complications of chronic kidney disease.
- Helps protect the heart and blood vessels: By preventing excess phosphate from building up in the body, it helps reduce the risk of calcium-phosphate deposits in blood vessels and other soft tissues.
- Supports long-term kidney disease management: Keeping phosphate levels under control contributes to better mineral balance and supports overall health and quality of life during long-term dialysis treatment.
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
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Upset stomach or mild abdominal pain
- Nausea or vomiting
- Mild constipation
- Mild bloating or gas
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of high calcium levels, such as extreme tiredness, muscle weakness, confusion, loss of appetite, or severe constipation
- Signs of an allergic reaction, including a severe skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty breathing
- Severe, persistent stomach pain or vomiting
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check the packaging before use: Make sure the blister pack or bottle seal is intact and that the tablets or capsules are not damaged, discoloured, or expired before taking the medicine.
- Avoid extra calcium unless advised: Do not take over-the-counter calcium supplements or calcium-containing antacids while using Calcium Acetate unless your doctor specifically recommends them.
- Separate other oral medicines: Take other oral medications at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking Calcium Acetate, as it may reduce their absorption and make them less effective.
- Watch for signs of high calcium levels: Contact your doctor if you develop persistent nausea, vomiting, severe constipation, unusual thirst, frequent urination, muscle weakness, or confusion, as these may indicate high blood calcium levels.
- Inform your healthcare providers: Tell your doctor, dentist, and pharmacist that you are taking Calcium Acetate before starting any new medicine or undergoing any medical or dental procedure.
Drug Interactions
- Certain antibiotics (such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and doxycycline): Taking Calcium Acetate at the same time can significantly decrease the absorption and effectiveness of these antibiotics.
- Thyroid medications (such as levothyroxine): Calcium Acetate may bind to thyroid hormone replacements, lowering their effectiveness in your body.
- Vitamin D analogues: Combining these with Calcium Acetate may increase the risk of developing dangerously high calcium levels in your blood.
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
- Follow your prescribed low-phosphorus diet: Strictly follow the meal plan recommended by your doctor or renal dietitian to help keep your blood phosphorus levels within the target range.
- Limit high-phosphorus foods: Reduce your intake of foods naturally rich in phosphorus, such as dairy products, nuts, seeds, beans, chocolate, dark cola drinks, whole grains, and processed foods containing phosphate additives.
- Choose kidney-friendly foods: Include foods recommended by your healthcare provider that are lower in phosphorus while ensuring you receive adequate nutrition for your overall health.
- Keep a food diary: Record your daily meals and snacks to help identify hidden sources of phosphorus and allow your healthcare team to adjust your diet if needed.
- Attend regular blood tests: Keep all scheduled laboratory appointments to monitor your blood phosphorus, calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels so your treatment can be adjusted appropriately.
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.
If you skip a meal or snack, you should also skip your dose of Calcium Acetate for that meal. Because the medication requires food to bind phosphorus, taking it without eating is unnecessary and could cause your calcium levels to rise too high. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you frequently skip meals.
No, you should not take your thyroid medication at the same time. Calcium Acetate can bind to thyroid hormones like levothyroxine in your stomach, preventing your body from absorbing them. You should separate these medications by several hours. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to set up a safe dosing schedule.
It is not fully known if Calcium Acetate is safe for an unborn baby. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you must discuss the risks and benefits with your healthcare provider. Your doctor will help decide if this medication is appropriate for you. Talk to your doctor for personalised advice.
Regular blood tests are necessary to monitor both your phosphorus and calcium levels. This helps your doctor verify that the medicine is working and ensure your calcium levels do not rise to unsafe limits. Based on these results, your doctor may adjust your treatment. Talk to your doctor about your testing schedule.
You should swallow the tablets or capsules whole with water. Chewing or crushing them is generally not recommended unless your doctor or pharmacist specifically advises you to do so. If you have trouble swallowing your pills, talk to your doctor about alternative options.
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