calcium lactate

Generic Name: calcium lactate (KAL see um LACK tate)Brand Names: Ridactate

What is calcium lactate?

Calcium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods. Calcium is necessary for many normal functions of the body, especially bone formation and maintenance. Calcium can also bind to other minerals (such as phosphate) and aid in their removal from the body.

Calcium lactate is used to prevent and to treat calcium deficiencies.

Calcium lactate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about calcium lactate?

Do not take calcium lactate or antacids containing calcium without first talking to your doctor if you take other medications. Calcium can decrease the effects of many other medicines by binding to them or by changing the acidity of the stomach or the urine. Take calcium with meals to increase its absorption by the body.

Who should not take calcium lactate?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have had kidney stones;

• have parathyroid gland disease;

• take antacids or other calcium supplements; or

• take a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin V, and others), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox, Doxy, and others), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, and others), or oxytetracycline (Terramycin, and others).

You may not be able to take calcium lactate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions, or take any of the medications, listed above.

Talk to your doctor before taking calcium lactate if you are pregnant. In general, calcium is important for the development of an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor before taking calcium lactate if you are breast-feeding. Calcium is important for the development of a breast-feeding baby.

How should I take calcium lactate?

Take calcium lactate exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the directions on the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Swallow the calcium lactate tablets with a full glass of water. Take calcium with meals to increase its absorption by the body, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Store calcium lactate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Calcium lactate dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medicine unless your doctor directs otherwise.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a calcium overdose include nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, constipation, confusion, delirium, stupor, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking calcium lactate?

If you take other medicines, do not take calcium lactate without first talking to your doctor.

Calcium lactate side effects

Stop taking calcium lactate and seek emergency medical attention if you experience a rare allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives).

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take calcium lactate and notify your doctor if you experience

• nausea or vomiting;

• decreased appetite;

• constipation;

• dry mouth or increased thirst; or

• increased urination.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Calcium lactate Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypocalcemia:

325 to 650 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day before meals. Treatment may also consist of vitamin D orally.

Usual Adult Dose for Osteomalacia:

325 to 650 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day before meals. Treatment may also consist of vitamin D orally.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypoparathyroidism:

325 mg orally 3 times a day before meals. Treatment may also consist of vitamin D orally.

Usual Adult Dose for Pseudohypoparathyroidism:

325 mg orally once a day before the breakfast meal. Treatment may also consist of vitamin D orally.

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoporosis:

325 to 650 mg orally 3 times a day before meals. Osteoporosis can be affected by increased serum parathyroid hormone, excessive alcohol intake, tobacco use, certain drugs (corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, heparin, thyroid hormone), dietary vitamin D, and weight bearing exercise.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Hypocalcemia:

Infant: 400 to 500 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 4 to 6 hours.Child:500 mg/kg/day orally in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours.

What other drugs will affect calcium lactate?

Before taking calcium lactate, tell your doctor if you are taking

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• antacids containing calcium or aluminum;

• other calcium supplements;

• calcitriol (Rocaltrol) or vitamin D supplements; or

• a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin V, and others), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox, Doxy, and others), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, and others), or oxytetracycline (Terramycin, and others).

You may not be able to take calcium lactate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with calcium lactate. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider may have more information about calcium lactate.

• Consultation with a licensed health care professional is advisable before using any herbal/health supplement. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous. Remember, keep this and all other prescription drug products, over-the-counter drug products, and herbal/health supplements out of the reach of children.
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 2.04. Revision Date: 4/12/2009 4:41:43 PM.