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Written By Veda Maddala , M Pharmacy
Reviewed By Bayyarapu Mahesh Kumar , M Pharmacy
Last Updated Oct 22, 2024 | 7:37 PM IST

Gemcal DS Capsule is used to treat low blood calcium levels. It effectively treats various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone), and latent tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels). It can also be given to pregnant, nursing, and postmenopausal women to ensure that they are getting enough calcium. It provides essential nutrients to maintain bone formation and maintenance. Also, it treats calcium deficiency with hypoparathyroidism (the parathyroid glands' decreased activity) and metabolic bone diseases in people with chronic kidney failure. It raises Vitamin D levels and thereby increases calcium levels in the blood. It helps to maintain bone density by promoting calcium transport from the bloodstream into the bone. In some cases, it may cause side effects like constipation or stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, mood changes, weakness, tiredness, fast or pounding heartbeat, bone/muscle pain, and headache.

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Manufacturer/Marketer

Alkem Laboratories Ltd

Consume Type

ORAL

Return Policy

Not Returnable

Expires on or after

Jan-27

About Gemcal DS Capsule

Gemcal DS Capsule belongs to the class of dietary supplements primarily used to treat low blood calcium levels. It effectively treats various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone), and latent tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels). Gemcal DS Capsule can also be given to pregnant, nursing, and postmenopausal women to ensure that they are getting enough calcium.

Gemcal DS Capsule consists of three medicines: Calcium (mineral), Calcitriol (Vitamin D3), and Menaquinone (Vitamin K2). Calcium is a mineral that is used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency. It provides essential nutrients to maintain bone formation and maintenance. Calcitriol is a synthetic version of Vitamin D3 and treats calcium deficiency with hypoparathyroidism (the parathyroid glands' decreased activity) and metabolic bone diseases in people with chronic kidney failure. It raises Vitamin D levels and thereby increases calcium levels in the blood. This helps in improving the absorption rate of calcium from the intestine. Menaquinone is also known as Vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 helps to maintain bone density by promoting calcium transport from the bloodstream into the bone. Calcium-regulating proteins also require menaquinone in the arteries.

Your doctor will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. In some cases, Gemcal DS Capsule can cause side effects like constipation or stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, mood changes, weakness, tiredness, fast or pounding heartbeat, bone/muscle pain, and headache. Most of these side effects of Gemcal DS Capsule do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects persist longer, please consult your doctor.

If you are known to be allergic to Gemcal DS Capsule or its inactive components, please inform your doctor. Please tell your doctor if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food). Brief your medical history if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, and kidney stones before starting Gemcal DS Capsule . Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Gemcal DS Capsule . Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. Gemcal DS Capsule may pass into the breast milk; hence, breastfeeding mothers need to seek medical advice before starting Gemcal DS Capsule .

Uses of Gemcal DS Capsule

Treatment of Osteoporosis, Osteomalacia (Rickets), Calcium deficiency, Tetany and Hypoparathyroidism.

Medicinal Benefits

Gemcal DS Capsule is used to treat low blood calcium levels and various associated conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone), and tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels). Gemcal DS Capsule consists of Calcium (mineral), Calcitriol (Vitamin D3), and Menaquinone (Vitamin K2). Calcium is a mineral and prevents or treats calcium deficiency. It helps to maintain bone and teeth health. Calcitriol, a synthetic form of Vitamin D3, treats calcium deficiency with hypoparathyroidism (the parathyroid glands' decreased activity) and metabolic bone diseases in people with chronic kidney failure. Menaquinone, also known as Vitamin K2, helps maintain bone density by promoting calcium transport from the bloodstream into the bone. Calcium-regulating proteins are also required in the arteries.

Directions for Use

Extended-release tablet/Tablet/Capsule: Swallow it whole with a glass of water. Do not crush, chew, or break it. Chewable tablet: Take the chewable tablet by mouth. Chew it completely before swallowing.Liquid: Shake the bottle well before use. Take the recommended dose by mouth using the measuring cup/dosing syringe/dropper provided by the pack.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place away from sunlight

Side Effects of Gemcal DS Capsule

  • Constipation or stomach upset
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Mood changes
  • Weakness, tiredness
  • Fast or pounding heartbeat
  • Bone/muscle pain
  • Headache

Drug Warnings

Let your doctor know if you are allergic to Gemcal DS Capsule or its inactive components. Brief your medical history if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, sarcoidosis (growth of inflammatory cells in different parts of the body), Crohn's disease (inflammatory bowel disease), Whipple's disease (bacterial infection affecting joints and digestive system), achlorhydria (little or no stomach acid), low levels of bile, and phosphate imbalance. Chewable tablets of Gemcal DS Capsule contain sugar or aspartame; hence, caution should be taken when having diabetes and phenylketonuria (increased levels of an amino acid called phenylalanine). Calcitriol in higher doses may harm the foetus. Higher doses of Vitamin D than the recommended daily dose should be used in pregnant women only when advised by the doctor. Gemcal DS Capsule may pass into the breast milk; hence, consult your doctor before taking Gemcal DS Capsule if you are a breastfeeding mother.

Drug Interactions

Drug-Drug Interaction: Gemcal DS Capsule may interact with central nervous system stimulants (dextroamphetamine), anti-depressants (duloxetine), minerals (ferrous sulfate), anti-ulcer drugs (ranitidine), synthetic thyroid hormone (levothyroxine), painkillers (aspirin), calcium supplements (ergocalciferol), anti-clotting drugs (warfarin), drugs treating high cholesterol levels (cholestyramine), and drugs that treat high blood phosphorus levels (sevelamer). Some medications like tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline), quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin), drugs treating bone loss (alendronate), weight-loss drugs (orlistat), and anti-cancer drugs (estramustine) may affect the calcium absorption into the body. 

Drug-Food Interaction: Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.

Drug-Disease Interaction: Gemcal DS Capsule is not recommended if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food).

Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List

  • DEXTROAMPHETAMINE
  • DULOXETINE
  • FERROUS SULPHATE
  • RANITIDINE
  • LEVOTHYROXINE
  • ASPIRIN
  • ERGOCALCIFEROL
  • WARFARIN
  • CHOLESTYRAMINE
  • SEVELAMER
  • DOXYCYCLINE
  • CIPROFLOXACIN
  • ALENDRONATE SODIUM
  • ORLISTAT
  • ESTRAMUSTINE

Habit Forming

No

Diet & Lifestyle Advise

  • Include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese or milk-based custard in your diet.
  • Eat a serving of broccoli, cabbage, bok choy, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables daily.
  • Snack on calcium-rich nuts like Brazil nuts or almonds. 
  • Sprinkle sesame seeds over your food, vegetables and salads. Sesame seeds are high in calcium.
  • Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.
  • Replace the meat with tofu or tempeh for extra calcium in your food.

Special Advise

  • A low phosphate diet is recommended to control serum phosphorus levels in patients undergoing dialysis. 
  • Clinical monitoring of serum electrolyte concentrations and cardiac function is recommended.

Disease/Condition Glossary

Osteoporosis: It is a bone disease that makes the bones weak and brittle by decreasing bone density. It is known as a silent disease since it is not revealed until a bone is broken easily or fractured. Symptoms include backache, easily breaking bones, and hunched or stooped posture. Thinning of bones can be prevented by treatment with medications, calcium supplements, a calcium-rich diet, and lifestyle changes.

Osteomalacia/Rickets: A bone disease caused by softening and weakening bones in children due to inadequate vitamin D.

Tetany: A disease condition due to low levels of calcium (hypocalcaemia) in the body that causes cramps and spasms in the hands, feet, and larynx (voice box. 

Hypoparathyroidism: It is a disease characterized by low levels of parathyroid hormone. This can cause low calcium levels and trigger tetany.

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Alcohol

Caution

Drinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; hence it is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using Gemcal DS Capsule .

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Pregnancy

Caution

During pregnancy, use higher doses of Gemcal DS Capsule than the daily dietary allowance only when advised by the doctor. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before recommending Gemcal DS Capsule .

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Breast Feeding

Caution

Consult your doctor before taking Gemcal DS Capsule if you are breastfeeding. Gemcal DS Capsule can pass into the breast milk. If Gemcal DS Capsule is used during breastfeeding, please monitor the mother and the infant's serum calcium levels.

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Driving

Safe

No interaction found/established.

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Liver

Caution

Let your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Gemcal DS Capsule . Hepatic impairment/liver disease can alter the metabolic and therapeutic activity of certain Vitamin D forms.

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Kidney

Caution

It is advised to seek doctor advice before starting Gemcal DS Capsule if you have kidney diseases like kidney stones or undergoing dialysis.

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Children

Consult your doctor

The doctor will decide the dosage of Gemcal DS Capsule based on the child's age and weight.

Country of origin

India

Manufacturer/Marketer address

Alkem Laboratories Limited, Devashish Building, Alkem House, Senapati Bapat Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 400 013.
Other Info - GEM0107

Author Details

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FAQs

Gemcal DS Capsule is used to treat low blood calcium levels. Gemcal DS Capsule effectively treats various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body, such as osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), osteomalacia/rickets (weak bones), hypoparathyroidism (low levels of parathyroid hormone), and latent tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels).
Gemcal DS Capsule is a dietary supplement that treats low levels of calcium in the blood. It consists of Calcium, Calcitriol, and Menaquinone. Calcium is a mineral and prevents or treats calcium deficiency. Calcitriol, a synthetic form of Vitamin D3, treats calcium deficiency with hypoparathyroidism (the decreased activity of the parathyroid glands). Menaquinone (Vitamin K2) maintains bone density by promoting calcium transport from the bloodstream into the bone.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and follow your usual dosage.
Milk is considered to be the best source of calcium. You can take Gemcal DS Capsule with milk.
Gemcal DS Capsule can cause kidney stones due to excess calcium deposition when used for a prolonged period. Please consult your doctor before taking Gemcal DS Capsule as a daily supplement if you have any kidney problems or a history of kidney stones.
Gemcal DS Capsule is used to increase low calcium levels in the body. Hence, it is not advised to use Gemcal DS Capsule during hypercalcemia since it causes an overdose of calcium, leading to kidney stones and other effects.
Calcitriol in Gemcal DS Capsule can increase inorganic phosphate levels in serum; hence it should be cautiously used in patients undergoing dialysis to maintain adequate phosphorus levels and avoid ectopic calcification (calcium deposition). It is advised to follow a low phosphate diet to control serum phosphorus levels in patients undergoing dialysis.
Take Gemcal DS Capsule as advised by the doctor, preferably after a meal.
Gemcal DS Capsule can cause side effects like constipation or stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, mood changes, weakness, tiredness, fast or pounding heartbeat, bone/muscle pain, and headache. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Gemcal DS Capsule is a combination medicine containing supplements that aid bone health.
The key ingredients in Gemcal DS Capsule are calcium (mineral), calcitriol (Vitamin D3), and menaquinone (Vitamin K2).
Gemcal DS Capsule increases calcium levels in the blood and maintains bone density by promoting calcium transport from the bloodstream into the bone.
Gemcal DS Capsule can be taken by people who have low calcium levels and bone problems. Please consult the doctor, your doctor will recommend Gemcal DS Capsule based on your condition.
A low phosphate diet is recommended to control serum phosphorus levels in patients undergoing dialysis. Clinical monitoring of serum electrolyte concentrations and cardiac function is recommended. Drinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; hence it is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using Gemcal DS Capsule .

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