Calcium Carbonate Drug Card
Purpose: Relief of transient symptoms of hyperacidity as in acid indigestion, heartburn, peptic esophagitis, and hiatal hernia; also as calcium supplement in treatment of mild calcium deficiency states;
Adverse Effects: upset stomach; vomiting; stomach pain; belching; constipation; dry mouth; increased urination; loss of appetite; metallic taste
Nursing Must Knows (rate of administration, how to reconstitute, etc):
When used as an antacid give 1 h PC and QHS. When used as a calcium supplement give 1-1 ½ h PC, unless otherwise directed by prescriber.
Pt. Teaching:
Don’t continue this medication beyond 1-2 wk. It is potentially dangerous to self-medicate. Don’t take antacids longer than 2 wk without medical supervision.
Avoid taking calcium carbonate with cereals or other foods high in oxalates. Oxalates combine with calcium carbonate to form insoluble, nonabsorbable compounds.
Don’t use calcium carbonates repeatedly with foods high in vitamin D (such as milk) or sodium bicarbonate, as it may cause milk alkali syndrome: hypercalcemia, distaste for food, headache, confusion, N/V, abdominal pain, metabolic alkalosis, hypercalcuria, polyuria, soft tissue calcification, hyperphosphatemia and renal insufficiency; predisposing factors include renal dysfunction, dehydration , electrolyte imbalance and hypertension. Action: Effectively relieves symptoms of acid indigestion and useful as a calcium supplement
Lab/diagnostics:
Weekly serum and urine calcium in pts receiving prolonged therapy and in pts with renal dysfunction./ No significant diagnostic information
Delivery method & Dosage:
Supplemental for Osteoporosis
Adult: PO 1-2 g b.i.d. or t.i.d.
Antacid
Adult: PO 0.5-2 g 4-6 times daily
Contraindications/Cautious Use:
Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria; calcium loss due to immobilization; severe renal failure; renal calculi; GI hemorrhage or obstruction; dehydration; digitalis toxicity; hypochloremic alkalosis; ventricular fibrillation; cardiac disease./
Adverse Effects: upset stomach; vomiting; stomach pain; belching; constipation; dry mouth; increased urination; loss of appetite; metallic taste
Nursing Must Knows (rate of administration, how to reconstitute, etc):
When used as an antacid give 1 h PC and QHS. When used as a calcium supplement give 1-1 ½ h PC, unless otherwise directed by prescriber.
Pt. Teaching:
Don’t continue this medication beyond 1-2 wk. It is potentially dangerous to self-medicate. Don’t take antacids longer than 2 wk without medical supervision.
Avoid taking calcium carbonate with cereals or other foods high in oxalates. Oxalates combine with calcium carbonate to form insoluble, nonabsorbable compounds.
Don’t use calcium carbonates repeatedly with foods high in vitamin D (such as milk) or sodium bicarbonate, as it may cause milk alkali syndrome: hypercalcemia, distaste for food, headache, confusion, N/V, abdominal pain, metabolic alkalosis, hypercalcuria, polyuria, soft tissue calcification, hyperphosphatemia and renal insufficiency; predisposing factors include renal dysfunction, dehydration , electrolyte imbalance and hypertension. Action: Effectively relieves symptoms of acid indigestion and useful as a calcium supplement
Lab/diagnostics:
Weekly serum and urine calcium in pts receiving prolonged therapy and in pts with renal dysfunction./ No significant diagnostic information
Delivery method & Dosage:
Supplemental for Osteoporosis
Adult: PO 1-2 g b.i.d. or t.i.d.
Antacid
Adult: PO 0.5-2 g 4-6 times daily
Contraindications/Cautious Use:
Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria; calcium loss due to immobilization; severe renal failure; renal calculi; GI hemorrhage or obstruction; dehydration; digitalis toxicity; hypochloremic alkalosis; ventricular fibrillation; cardiac disease./