Calcium+calcitriol
About Calcium+calcitriol
Calcium+calcitriol is a nutritional supplement primarily used to treat low blood calcium levels. It effectively treats various conditions, such as vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis (characterised by weak bones), latent tetany (a muscle disease associated with low blood calcium levels), and rickets or osteomalacia (a condition characterised by softening of bones due to low calcium levels).
Calcium+calcitriol consists of calcium and calcitriol (vitamin D). Calcium+calcitriol works by increasing calcium and vitamin D levels in the body, thereby supporting the essential functions necessary for bone formation and maintenance. Together, they help prevent bone loss, support bone growth, and reduce muscle cramps caused by low calcium levels.
Calcium+calcitriol is likely safe to use. In some cases, it may cause side effects like constipation and stomach upset. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult a doctor.
Take Calcium+calcitriol as advised. Your physician will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. You can take Calcium+calcitriol with or without food. It is recommended not to exceed the recommended dose of Calcium+calcitriol. Do not chew, bite, or crush the medicine.
Inform your physician if you are allergic to Calcium+calcitriol. Let your doctor know if you have any liver/kidney disease, heart disease, kidney stones and hypervitaminosis D (having too much vitamin D) hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), heart, kidney, liver, or blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, or malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrients from food) before starting Calcium+calcitriol. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Calcium+calcitriol.
Uses of Calcium+calcitriol
Medicinal Benefits
- Calcium+calcitriol is used to treat low blood calcium levels.
- It reduces the risk of fractures, particularly in individuals with weakened bones such as those affected by osteoporosis.
- Calcium+calcitriol supports proper bone growth in children and adolescents, and aids in managing various bone disorders, such as rickets and osteomalacia.
- It also helps relieve muscle cramps caused by low calcium levels and improves vitamin D status, which is important for immune function and overall bone health.
- Calcium+calcitriol consists of two medicines: Calcium (mineral) and Calcitriol (Vitamin D).
- Calcium is a mineral that is used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency. It provides essential nutrients to maintain bone formation.
- Calcitriol is a steroid hormone produced in the skin when exposed to ultraviolet light or obtained from food sources.
- It helps maintain blood calcium and phosphorus levels and mineralization of bone.
Directions for Use
- Calcium+calcitriol can be taken with or without food.
- Follow your doctor’s recommendations on the dosage and timing of this medication to achieve optimal results.
- Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Calcium+calcitriol
- Constipation
- Stomach upset
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Bone/muscle pain
- Fast or pounding heartbeat
- Headache
Drug Warnings
- If you are allergic to Calcium+calcitriol or any other medicines, please tell your doctor.
- If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Calcium+calcitriol.
- Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Calcium+calcitriol is not recommended if you have hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), metastatic calcification (extra deposits of calcium in the body), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food).
- Inform your doctor before taking Calcium+calcitriol if you have any heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, 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.
- Calcium+calcitriol may contain sugar or sorbitol; hence caution should be taken in case of intolerance to sugars, diabetes, and phenylketonuria (increased levels of an amino acid called phenylalanine).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Calcium+calcitriol may interact with drugs treating high cholesterol levels (cholestyramine, colesevelam, colestipol), antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, penicillin, neomycin, and chloramphenicol), anti-cancer drugs (estramustine), drugs treating bone loss (alendronate sodium), hormone (levothyroxine), weight-loss drugs (orlistat), fits medicines (phenobarbital), mineral oils (paraffin), water pills (furosemide, ethacrynic acid), and heart-related medicines (digitoxin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid or reduce caffeine intake, soft drinks, and alcohol as they might inhibit calcium absorption.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Brief your doctor if you have a medical history of allergic reactions, cardiovascular adverse effects, phosphate calcifications, cardiac contraction/conduction, malabsorption, renal dysfunction, sarcoidosis, arrhythmia, electrolyte imbalance, hypercalcemia, renal dysfunction, and hepatobiliary dysfunction.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDrinking alcohol can affect calcium absorption; hence, limit the alcohol intake while using Calcium+calcitriol.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorConsult your doctor if you are pregnant. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before recommending this medicine.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorConsult your doctor before taking Calcium+calcitriol if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if suggestedCalcium+calcitriol usually does not affect your ability to drive.
Liver
consult your doctorConsult your doctor if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Calcium+calcitriol. Hepatic impairment/liver disease can alter the metabolism and therapeutic activity of certain Vitamin D forms.
Kidney
consult your doctorYou should seek a doctor's advice before starting Calcium+calcitriol if you have kidney diseases like kidney stones or undergoing dialysis. Be cautious if you are undergoing dialysis to maintain adequate phosphorus levels and avoid ectopic calcification (calcium deposition).
Children
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor. Your doctor will recommend a suitable dosage form and dose based on your child's age, body weight and condition.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Include dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese, or milk-based custard in your diet.
- Eat daily a serving of broccoli, cabbage, spinach, and other green leafy vegetables.
- Include the best dietary sources of vitamin D, such as fish liver oils and vitamin D–fortified milk.
- 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
Calcium+calcitriol may interfere with cholesterol tests. Hence please inform your doctor and laboratory staff that you are taking Calcium+calcitriol before undergoing blood tests.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Vitamin D deficiency: When a person cannot get enough Vitamin D through food and exposure to sunlight, it leads to vitamin D deficiency. It often leads to thin, brittle, or misshapen bones.
Osteoporosis: It is a bone disease that weakens brittle bones by decreasing bone density.
Tetany: It is a disease condition caused due to low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) in the body that causes cramps and spasms in the hands, feet, and larynx (voice box).
Osteomalacia/Rickets: A disease caused by softening and weakening bones in children due to inadequate vitamin D.
Hypoparathyroidism: It is a disease characterized by low parathyroid hormone levels. This can cause low calcium levels and trigger tetany (muscle cramps, spasms, or tremors).
FAQs
Calcium+calcitriol belongs to the class of vitamins, primarily used to treat various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body like Vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), hypoparathyroidism (a condition in which parathyroid glands make low levels of calcium in the body), latent tetany (a muscle disease with low blood calcium levels), and rickets or osteomalacia (softening or deforming of bones due to lack of calcium).
Calcium+calcitriol consists of two vitamins: Calcium and Calcitriol (vitamin D). Calcium is a mineral used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency. It provides essential nutrients to maintain bone formation. Calcitriol helps maintain blood calcium and phosphorus levels and mineralisation of bone.
Antacids may alter the absorption of Calcium from Calcium+calcitriol. Hence it is advised to take Calcium+calcitriol two hours before or four hours after taking antacids.
Calcium+calcitriol is used to treat low levels of calcium in the body. Hence it is not advised to use Calcium+calcitriol if you have hypercalcemia since higher calcium levels may lead to kidney stones and other effects.
Calcium+calcitriol can cause kidney stones due to excess calcium deposition when used for a prolonged period. Please consult your doctor before taking Calcium+calcitriol as a daily supplement if you have any kidney problems or a history of kidney stones.
Milk is considered to be the best source of calcium. You can take Calcium+calcitriol with milk.
Fatty fish, cod liver oil, milk, and dairy products are rich in vitamin D, while dark green vegetables and egg yolks are good sources of calcium. Mushrooms also naturally produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
Before starting Calcium+calcitriol, inform your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, or are taking other medications, especially calcium supplements, to ensure safe and effective treatment. Inform your doctor and laboratory staff that you are taking Calcium+calcitriol if you are due to undergo any test, and tell your doctor if you are allergic to any of its components.
Consult the doctor before taking other medications along with Calcium+calcitriol to prevent any interactions.Inform the doctor if you are taking cholesterol-lowering drugs, antibiotics, cancer medicines, and heart medicines.
Do not take Calcium+calcitriol in excessive doses than the recommended dose advised by the doctor as it may cause an overdose. Taking too much of Calcium+calcitriol may cause symptoms like tiredness, dry mouth, changes in vision, stomach pain, irregular heartbeat, and fatty stools. If you experience any of these side effects consult your doctor immediately.
Vitamin D deficiency is mainly caused by a lack of sunlight exposure and a diet low in vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency can be managed by increasing sunlight exposure, eating vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish and mushrooms, and consuming fortified foods and drinks.
Osteomalacia, or soft bone disease, is a condition where bones weaken and soften due to a lack of vitamin D, calcium, or phosphate. Symptoms include bone pain, muscle weakness, and an increased risk of fractures.
Low vitamin D and calcium levels in adults can cause weak bones, bone pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, and increase the risk of fractures.
Calcium+calcitriol can be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding if recommended by your doctor. Therefore, please consult your doctor before taking Calcium+calcitriol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Calcium+calcitriol is a nutritional supplement that helps maintain healthy calcium levels in the body, especially for those with inadequate dietary calcium.
Take Calcium+calcitriol exactly as suggested by your doctor. Swallow the medicine as a whole with water; do not crush, break, or chew it.
Yes, Calcium+calcitriol can be taken daily, but only as advised by your doctor. Please consult your doctor if you are unsure about it and always follow the doctor’s instructions.
Calcium+calcitriol is not specifically intended for skin health. Calcium+calcitriol treats conditions caused by low calcium levels, including vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, hypoparathyroidism, latent tetany, rickets, and osteomalacia.
The frequency of taking Calcium+calcitriol can be determined by the doctor based on your medical condition being treated. Consult your doctor if you have concerns regarding it.
Calcium+calcitriol is specifically used for bone and joint health. Consult your doctor before using it for any other purpose and talk to your doctor if you have concerns regarding it.
Yes, Calcium+calcitriol may affect your blood pressure. Therefore, please consult your doctor before taking Calcium+calcitriol if you have high blood pressure.
Calcium+calcitriol is not specifically intended to manage stress. Calcium+calcitriol consists of calcium and calcitriol (vitamin D)used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency.
Calcium+calcitriol is not known to cause sleepiness. However, if you experience drowsiness, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery until you feel alert.
The common side effects of Calcium+calcitriol may include nausea or vomiting, headache, constipation, and stomach upset. These side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult a doctor.
