Calcium carbonate + vitamin d3 - oral

Calcium carbonate and Vitamin D₃ are combined in this medicine.

This medicine is used to prevent and treat deficiency in calcium and vitamin D. These are minerals and vitamins essential for the body’s normal bone formation.

Calcium carbonate + Vitamin D₃ may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Calcium carbonate + Vitamin D₃ exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about whether you should take this medicine with or without food. Different brands of this medicine may be taken differently.

Try to take this medicine at the same time each day.

Calcium carbonate + Vitamin D₃ is available as a conventional, chewable or effervescent tablet and effervescent granules for oral solution in a sachet.

Swallow the conventional tablet whole with a glass of water.

If you are taking the chewable tablet, chew the tablet and wait for it to dissolve in your mouth. Do not swallow the tablet whole.

If you are taking the effervescent tablet or effervescent granules for oral solution, drop the tablet or empty the entire contents of the sachet into a glass. Add at least 200 mL of water to dissolve the tablet or granules evenly in the water. Drink the solution immediately.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• high calcium levels in the blood and urine
• high levels of vitamin D in your blood
• high calcium levels in the blood or urine which may be caused by overactive parathyroid gland, certain bone tumours
• kidney stones
• severe kidney disease

as Calcium carbonate + Vitamin D₃ may not be suitable for you.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• absence or low production of acid in the stomach
• low level of parathyroid hormones
• prone to or had a history of kidney stones
• sarcoidosis (inflammatory disease characterised by the formation of cell lumps)
• immobilised with osteoporosis (thinning and weakening of bones)
• mild to moderate kidney disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Calcium carbonate + Vitamin D₃ to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly. Routine tests (e.g. blood calcium levels, kidney function) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.

Calcium carbonate + Vitamin D₃ may cause any of the following side effects: constipation, bloating, stomach wind, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhoea, and skin rash or itching.

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. hydrochlorothiazide
• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenytoin
• certain antibiotics e.g. quinolones, tetracycline
• rifampicin (medicine to treat TB, an infection known as tuberculosis)
• colestyramine (cholesterol-lowering medicine)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Calcium carbonate + Vitamin D₃.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

It is important that you have enough calcium in your body. It may be helpful to discuss your diet plan with your doctor or dietitian.

Avoid alcohol.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children. Protect from light and moisture.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.