Calcium+cholecalciferol
About
Calcium+cholecalciferol belongs to the class of 'nutritional supplements', primarily used to treat low blood calcium levels. Calcium+cholecalciferol effectively treats various conditions caused by low calcium levels in the body like Vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), hypoparathyroidism (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). Vitamin D deficiency occurs when your body has low Vitamin D levels and is caused due to inadequate nutrition, intestinal malabsorption, or lack of sunlight exposure.
Calcium+cholecalciferol consists Calcium (mineral) and Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). Calcium is a mineral that is used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency. It provides essential nutrients to maintain bone formation and maintenance. Cholecalciferol is a form of Vitamin D and helps maintain blood calcium and phosphorus levels and bone mineralisation. It is used to treat and prevent bone disorders, such as rickets and osteomalacia.
Your doctor will decide the dosage based on your medical condition. Calcium+cholecalciferol is likely safe to consume. 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.
If you are known to be allergic to Calcium+cholecalciferol or its inactive components, inform your doctor. Please tell your doctor if you have heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels), hypervitaminosis D (high vitamin D levels), low levels of bile, phosphate imbalance, and malabsorption syndrome (difficulty absorbing nutrition from food) before starting Calcium+cholecalciferol. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor before taking Calcium+cholecalciferol.This supplement is safe to use in children when advised by the doctor.
Uses of Calcium+cholecalciferol
Medicinal Benefits
Calcium+cholecalciferol consists of Calcium (mineral) and Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3). Calcium is a mineral that is used to prevent or treat a calcium deficiency. It provides essential nutrients to maintain bone formation and maintenance. Cholecalciferol helps maintain blood calcium and phosphorus levels and mineralization of bone.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Calcium+cholecalciferol
- Constipation
- Stomach upset
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Let your doctor know if you are allergic to Calcium+cholecalciferol or its inactive components. Calcium+cholecalciferol is not recommended if you have hypercalcaemia (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, 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. It is advised to check with your doctor before using Calcium+cholecalciferol if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Drinking alcohol may affect calcium absorption; therefore, it is advised to limit alcohol intake while using Calcium+cholecalciferol. Calcium+cholecalciferol is safe to use in children when advised by the doctor. Do not store Calcium+cholecalciferol above 25°C.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Calcium+cholecalciferol may interact with drugs treating high cholesterol levels (cholestyramine, colestipol), antibiotics (doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, penicillin), anti-cancer drugs (estramustine), drugs treating bone loss (alendronate), thyroid hormone (levothyroxine), weight-loss drugs (orlistat), fits medicines (phenobarbital), mineral oils (paraffin), water pills (furosemide), and heart-related medicines (digitoxin).
Drug-Food Interactions: Avoid or reduce the intake of caffeine, soft drinks, and alcohol that inhibit calcium absorption.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Before using Calcium+cholecalciferol, consult your doctor if you have hypercalcemia, hypervitaminosis D, malabsorption syndrome, Vitamin D toxicity, heart/kidney/liver/blood vessel diseases, kidney stones, sarcoidosis, Crohn's disease, Whipple's disease, achlorhydria, low levels of bile, phosphate imbalance, diabetes, and phenylketonuria.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionDrinking alcohol can affect the calcium absorption, hence it is advised to limit the alcohol intake while using Calcium+cholecalciferol.
Pregnancy
cautionDuring pregnancy, use higher doses of Calcium+cholecalciferol than the daily dietary allowance only when advised by the doctor. Your doctor will weigh the potential risks and benefits before recommending Calcium+cholecalciferol.
Breast Feeding
cautionConsult your doctor before taking Calcium+cholecalciferol if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
not applicableCalcium+cholecalciferol is usually safe and does not interact with your driving ability.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before taking Calcium+cholecalciferol.
Kidney
cautionIt is advised to seek doctor advice before starting Calcium+cholecalciferol if you have kidney diseases like kidney stones or undergoing dialysis. Caution should be taken in patients undergoing dialysis before starting Calcium+cholecalciferol.
Children
consult your doctorThe doctor will decide the dosage of Calcium+cholecalciferol based on the child's age and weight.
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, bok choy, 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 the calcium absorption.
- Replace the meat with tofu or tempeh for extra calcium in your food.
Special Advise
- Calcium+cholecalciferol may interfere with cholesterol tests, hence please inform your doctor and laboratory staff that you are taking Calcium+cholecalciferol before undergoing blood tests.
- Clinical monitoring of serum electrolyte concentrations and cardiac function is recommended.
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 causes weak and brittle bones by decreasing bone density.
Tetany: A disease condition due to low levels of calcium (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+cholecalciferol is a dietary supplement that treats low levels of calcium in the blood. It consists of Calcium and Cholecalciferol. Calcium is a mineral and prevents or treats calcium deficiency. Cholecalciferol, also known as Vitamin D3, helps maintain blood calcium and phosphorus levels and bone mineralisation. When you don't get enough Vitamin D from food sources and sunlight exposure, Calcium+cholecalciferol helps balance those low levels.
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 Calcium+cholecalciferol with milk.
Calcium+cholecalciferol can cause kidney stones due to excess calcium deposition when used for a prolonged period. Please consult your doctor before taking Calcium+cholecalciferol as a daily supplement if you have any kidney problems or a history of kidney stones.
Calcium+cholecalciferol is used to increase low levels of calcium in the body. Hence it is not advised to use Calcium+cholecalciferol during hypercalcaemia, since it causes the overdose of calcium leading to kidney stones and other effects.
Antacids may increase the absorption of Calcium from Calcium+cholecalciferol. Hence it is advised to take Calcium+cholecalciferol two hours before, or four hours after taking antacids.
