DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: calcium and vitamin D combination (KAL see um and VYE ta min D)
Brand Names: Calcarb with D, Calcet, Caltrate 600 with D, Caltro with Vitamin D, Citracal Caplets Plus, Dical Captabs, Dical-D, Dicalphos plus D, O-Cal-D, Os-Cal 250 with D, Os-Cal with D, Oysco D, Oysco D with Calcium, Oysco-500 with D, Oyst-Cal-D, Oyster Shell Calcium, Oyster Shell Calcium with Vitamin D, Posture-D H/P

What is calcium and vitamin D combinations?

Calcium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods. Calcium is necessary for many normal functions of your body, especially bone formation and maintenance. Vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium from the stomach and for the functioning of calcium in the body.

Calcium and vitamin D combinations are used to prevent or to treat a calcium deficiency.

Calcium and vitamin D combinations 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 and vitamin D combinations?

Contact your doctor if you experience weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, a metallic taste in your mouth, increased thirst and/or urination, decreased appetite, or muscle or bone pain.

Do not take calcium and vitamin D combinations without first talking to your doctor if you take other medications. Calcium can decrease the effects of many other medicines by binding to them.

Who should not take calcium and vitamin D combinations?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have kidney disease;
• have (or have had in the past) kidney stones;

• have heart disease;

• have circulation problems;

• have parathyroid gland disease;

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

You may not be able to take calcium and vitamin D combinations, or you may require a lower dose 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 and vitamin D combinations if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor before taking calcium and vitamin D combinations if you are breast-feeding.

How should I take calcium and vitamin D combinations?

Take calcium and vitamin D combinations 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.

Take calcium and vitamin D combinations tablets and capsules with a full glass of water. Do not crush or chew the tablets or capsules. Swallow them whole. Store calcium and vitamin D combinations at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your 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 irregular heartbeats, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, a metallic taste in the mouth, confusion decreased appetite, constipation, weakness, headache, delirium, stupor, and coma.

What should I avoid while taking calcium and vitamin D combinations?

If you take other medicines, do not take calcium and vitamin D combinations without first talking to your doctor.

Calcium and vitamin D combinations side effects

If you experience any of the following side effects, seek emergency medical attention or talk to your doctor:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• an irregular heartbeat;

• nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;

• dry mouth;

• constipation;

• weakness;

• headache;

• a metallic taste;

• muscle or bone pain; or

• drowsiness.

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.

What other drugs will affect calcium and vitamin D combinations?

Before taking calcium and vitamin D combinations, tell your doctor if you are taking

• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

• antacids containing calcium, aluminum, or magnesium;

• other calcium supplements;

• calcitriol (Rocaltrol) or other vitamin D supplements; or

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

You may not be able to take calcium and vitamin D combinations, 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 and vitamin D combinations. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has additional information about calcium and vitamin D combinations written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Calcium and vitamin D combinations are available over-the-counter generically and under several brand names. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
• 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: 1.03. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:03:20 PM.