ONLINE PHARMACY find all drugs you want

Generic Name: calcium acetate (KAL see um AH seh tate)
Brand Names: Calphron, PhosLo, PhosLo Gelcap

What is calcium acetate?

Calcium is a mineral that is needed for many functions of the body, especially bone formation and maintenance. Calcium can also bind to other minerals such as phosphate, and aid in their removal from the body.

Calcium acetate is used to control phosphate levels to keep them from getting to high in people with kidney failure.

Calcium acetate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about calcium acetate?

Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Many antacids contain calcium and you could be getting too much of this mineral if you take a calcium antacid with calcium acetate.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking calcium acetate?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs.

How should I take calcium acetate?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

You may need to keep a food diary to measure how much calcium you are getting in your diet.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful side effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. You may also need x-rays to check for calcium deposits around your joints or other soft tissues. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Be sure to take the medicine with food. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Symptoms of a calcium acetate overdose may include nausea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, increased thirst or urination, constipation, confusion, fainting, or coma.

What should I avoid while taking calcium acetate?

Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Many antacids contain calcium and you could be getting too much of this mineral if you take a calcium antacid with calcium acetate.

Calcium acetate side effects

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;

• constipation;

• dry mouth or increased thirst; or

• urinating more than usual.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect calcium acetate?

Before taking calcium acetate, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• demeclocycline (Declomycin);

• doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin);

• minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin); or

• tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use calcium acetate , or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect calcium acetate . Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about calcium acetate written for health professionals that you may read.

• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed
• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.