Calcichew Forte

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > C



How does it work?

This medicine contains calcium carbonate, which is a calcium salt used mainly to supplement calcium in the diet. Calcium is needed for the formation of strong bones and healthy teeth and is involved in helping the blood to clot. It is also required to transmit nerve signals and help muscles work. Calcium is found in milk and dairy products, as well as spinach, nuts and sardines. Usually, calcium requirements are met from the diet. However, there are times when the amount of calcium required is increased, such as during growth, pregnancy, when breast feeding or with advancing age. When there is insufficient calcium in the diet to meet the body's needs, supplements are needed, otherwise calcium deficiency can occur. Calcium supplements are useful in osteoporosis; a calcium intake that is twice the recommended daily allowance (RDA) slows the rate of bone loss and reduces the risk of fractures. Calcium carbonate is also used in people with kidney failure to bind to phosphate consumed in the diet. This is because in kidney failure the kidneys are less able to remove phosphate from the blood and it builds up in the body, often causing itching of the skin. High levels of phosphate also lead to a drop in the amount of calcium in the body, and as a result the body starts removing calcium from the bones. This can cause renal bone disease. Calcium carbonate is used as a phosphate binder in kidney failure to reduce the amount of phosphate absorbed from the gut. It therefore helps prevent these problems.

What is it used for?

- Calcium deficiency
- Osteoporosis
- Preventing the absorption of phosphate from the gut in people with kidney failure (phosphate binder)
- Supplementing calcium in the diet when normal requirements are high

Warning!

- If you have mild to moderate kidney failure or raised levels of calcium in your urine (hypercalciuria) the amount of calcium in your blood and urine should be regularly monitored while you are taking this medicine.
- If you have a history of kidney stones, the amount of calcium excreted in your urine should be monitored while you are taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

- History of kidney stones
- Kidney failure

Not to be used in

- High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia)
- Very high levels of calcium in the urine (severe hypercalciuria)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

- There are no known harmful effects when this medicine is used by pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

Label warnings

- This medication is to be sucked or chewed.

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use © Copyright 1998 - 2009 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved