Calcium acetate: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Use

What is calcium acetate for?

Calcium acetate is a drug to help lower and control phosphate levels in the blood.

Usually, calcium acetate is prescribed by doctors for end-stage chronic renal failure patients who are undergoing dialysis. In many cases, chronic renal failure patients who require dialysis tend to have high phosphate levels (hyperphosphatemia).

By taking this medicine, the phosphate levels of people with kidney failure that were previously high can slowly decrease. This drug works by binding to phosphate in the small intestine and forming calcium phosphate. Calcium phosphate can be excreted directly by the body through feces without having to undergo the absorption process in the digestive tract.

Chronic renal failure patients are particularly prone to hyperparathyroidism. Hyperparathyroidism is a condition that occurs when the parathyroid glands in the neck produce too much parathyroid hormone in the bloodstream. If allowed to continue, hyperpartiroidism can cause damage to bone tissue.

How do you use calcium acetate?

Calcium acetate is only available by prescription. So that this drug can work optimally, consider the following rules of use.

Take the drug as a whole

Do not crush, chew, or inhale large capsules or tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects.

Also, do not break large tablets unless they have a dividing line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so.

Time to take medicine

This medicine must be taken after meals. Drink a glass of water afterward to make sure you swallow all the medicine.

Use this remedy regularly for optimal benefits. So that you don't forget, take this medicine at the same time every day.

If at any time you forget to take this medicine and the next time you take it is still far away, it is advisable to do so as soon as you remember. Meanwhile, if the time lag is near, ignore it and don't try to double the dose.

Drink according to the recommended dosage

Do not add or reduce doses of medication without your doctor's knowledge. Taking medication that is not according to the rules can increase the risk of side effects.

Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not increase your dose or use it more often than prescribed.

Don't give drugs to other people

Do not give this medicine to other people even if they have symptoms similar to yours. As mentioned earlier, the dosage is adjusted according to the patient's health condition and how their body responds to treatment.

In principle, take this drug exactly as the doctor recommends. Follow all the instructions for using the medicine listed on the prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets carefully. Don't hesitate to ask a doctor if you don't really understand how to use it.

Finally, do not hesitate to seek medical attention immediately if your condition does not improve or is getting worse. If you have any questions, you should also immediately consult a doctor.

How to store calcium acetate?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules.

Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of calcium acetate for adults?

Each tablet of this medication generally contains 667 milligrams (mg) of calcium.

The recommended starting dose is 1334 mg taken by mouth with each meal. Average dosage required 2001-2668 mg per meal.

The dose can be increased gradually to decrease the phosphorus level over a targeted distance, provided the patient does not develop hypercalcemia.

What is the dose of calcium acetate for children?

There is no provision for the dose of this drug for children. Calcium acetate can be dangerous for children.

It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Actually, the dosage of the drug for adults and children may vary. Doctors usually determine a suitable drug dosage based on the level of phosphate in the patient's blood as well as their response to treatment.

Therefore, be sure to always consult a doctor before taking any type of drug. This is solely to ensure that you are taking the drug according to the recommended dosage.

In what dosage is calcium acetate available?

This drug is available in tablet form.

Side effects

What are the possible side effects of calcium acetate?

Just like drugs in general, this one drug also has the potential to cause side effects from mild to severe. Some of the most common side effects that patients complain about include:

• Stomach ache
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Decreased appetite
• Bad taste in the mouth, like a metallic taste
• Nausea and vomiting
• Feeling thirsty
• Urinating more often than usual.
• Weight loss
• Looks confused or absent-minded
• The body is weak, lethargic, and weak

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

You should also see a doctor immediately if you experience a severe allergic reaction. Starting from itching all over the body, shortness of breath to difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be known before using calcium acetate?

Before using this drug, a few things you need to know:

Allergy

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies. This product may contain active ingredients that can cause severe allergic reactions or other problems.

Please ask directly to the doctor for more detailed information.

History of certain diseases

Tell your doctor or pharmacist about your actual condition.

This includes if you have or are currently having diseases such as:

• Calcium levels in the blood that are too high (hypercalcemia)
• Kidney stones
• Heart disease
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Low blood levels of magnesium (hypomagnesemia)
• Low blood phosphate levels (hypophosphatemia)

Certain drugs

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, and herbal products).

Regular blood tests

To make sure that this drug is not causing harmful effects, you may need to have regular blood tests.

You may also need an X-ray to check for calcium buildup around joints or other soft tissues. Please consult a doctor for more information.

Watch your food intake

Your doctor can design a diet that suits your condition. Maybe there will be some foods that you should avoid so that treatment can run more optimally.

Pregnant and breastfeeding

During pregnancy, this medicine should be used only when needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

Is calcium acetate safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Calcium acetate is included as pregnancy risk category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, or the equivalent of the Food and Drug Inspection Agency (BPOM) in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = Maybe risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Interaction

What drugs may interact with calcium acetate?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document.

Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

A number of drugs that may interact negatively with this drug include:

• Antacids (unless your doctor allows them)
• Antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro), moxifloxacin (Avelox), or levofloxacin (Levaquin) within 2 hours before or 6 hours after you take calcium acetate.
• Antibiotics such as doxycycline (Doryx, Oracea), minocycline (Solodyn), or tetracycline in the 1 hour before you take calcium acetate.
• Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Levothroid) within 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take calcium acetate.

Can food or alcohol interact with calcium acetate?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur.

Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with calcium acetate?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Allergy to calcium acetate or other calcium supplements
• Hypercalcemia
• Kidney stones
• Heart disease
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood levels of magnesium
• Low levels of phosphate in the blood
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.