Home > Drugs and Supplements > Calcium Carbonate
Printer friendly viewPrint
Bookmark and Share

PubMed Health. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

AHFS Consumer Medication Information [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; 2000-2011.

AHFS Consumer Medication Information.

Calcium Carbonate(kal' see um) (kar' bon ate)

Last reviewed: September 1, 2010.

Why is this medication prescribed?

Calcium carbonate is a dietary supplement used when the amount of calcium taken in the diet is not enough. Calcium is needed by the body for healthy bones, muscles, nervous system, and heart. Calcium carbonate also is used as an antacid to relieve heartburn, acid indigestion, and upset stomach. It is available with or without a prescription.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Calcium carbonate comes as a tablet, chewable tablet, capsule, and liquid to take by mouth. It is usually taken three or four times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription or package label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take calcium carbonate exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. When using this medicine as a dietary supplement, take it with food or following meals.

Chewable tablets should be chewed thoroughly before being swallowed; do not swallow them whole. Drink a full glass of water after taking either the regular or chewable tablets or capsules. Some liquid forms of calcium carbonate must be shaken well before use.

Do not take calcium carbonate as an antacid for more than 2 weeks unless your doctor tells you to.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking calcium carbonate,

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to calcium carbonate or any other drugs.

  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially digoxin (Lanoxin), etidronate (Didronel), phenytoin (Dilantin), tetracycline (Sumycin), and vitamins. Do not take calcium carbonate within 1-2 hours of taking other medicines. Calcium may decrease the effectiveness of the other medicine.

  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease or stomach conditions.

  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking calcium carbonate, call your doctor.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you are taking calcium carbonate on a regular schedule, take the missed dose as soon you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Calcium carbonate may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

  • upset stomach

  • vomiting

  • stomach pain

  • belching

  • constipation

  • dry mouth

  • increased urination

  • loss of appetite

  • metallic taste

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

If this medicine has been prescribed for you, keep all appointments with your doctor so that your response to calcium carbonate can be checked. Do not let anyone else take your medicine.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS® Consumer Medication Information. © Copyright, 2011. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc., 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

The following brand names are from RxNorm, a standardized nomenclature for clinical drugs produced by the National Library of Medicine:

Brand names

  • Alka-Mints

  • Alkets

  • Alkums

  • Amilac

  • Amitone

  • Cal Gest

  • CalCarb

  • Calci-Chew

  • Calci-Mix

  • Calcid

  • Calcitab

  • Caltrate

  • Caltro

  • Chooz

  • Dicarbosil

  • Equilet

  • Extra Strength Mylanta Calci Tabs

  • Maalox Antacid Barrier

  • Maalox Children's

  • Maalox Quick Dissolve

  • Maalox Quick Dissolve Maximum Strength

  • Mylanta Child

  • Nephro Calci

  • OsCal 500

  • Oysco 500

  • Oyst Cal

  • Oyst Cal 500

  • Pepto-Bismol Children's

  • Rolaids Sodium Free

  • Rolaids Softchews

  • Rx-Act Antacid Calcium Supplement

  • Titralac

  • Tums

  • Ultra Mylanta Calci Tabs

  • Uni-Cal 500

  • Uni-Mint

Brand names of combination products

  • Advanced Formula Di-Gel (containing Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Bayer Aspirin Plus Calcium (containing Aspirin and Calcium Carbonate)

  • Calafol Rx (containing Calcium Carbonate, Cholecalciferol, Folic Acid, and Hydroxocobalamin)

  • Calcarb with D (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Calel-D (containing Calcium Carbonate and Ergocalciferol)

  • Caltrate 600 + Iron & Vitamin D (containing Calcium Carbonate, Cholecalciferol, and Ferrous fumarate)

  • Caltrate Gummy Bites (containing Calcium Carbonate and vitamin D3)

  • Caltrate Plus D 600/200 (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Caltrate Plus D 600/400 (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Caltro with Vitamin D (containing Calcium Carbonate and Vitamin D)

  • Encora AM Tablet (containing Calcium Carbonate, Calcium ascorbate, Cholecalciferol, Folic Acid, and pyridoxine)

  • Encora PM Tablet (containing Calcium Carbonate, Calcium ascorbate, Cholecalciferol, Folic Acid, and pyridoxine)

  • Fast Acting Mylanta (containing Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Florical (containing Calcium Carbonate and Sodium Fluoride)

  • Folbecal (containing Calcium Carbonate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B 12, and pyridoxine)

  • Folgard OS (containing Boron, Calcium Carbonate, Cholecalciferol, Folic Acid, Magnesium Oxide, Vitamin B 12, and pyridoxine)

  • FoliNatal Plus B (containing Calcium Carbonate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B 12, and pyridoxine)

  • Gas-X with Maalox (containing Calcium Carbonate and Simethicone)

  • Gas-X with Maalox Extra Strength (containing Calcium Carbonate and Simethicone)

  • Lactocal (containing Ascorbic Acid, Calcium Carbonate, Copper Sulfate, Ferrous fumarate, Folic Acid, Magnesium Oxide, Niacinamide, Potassium Iodide, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin A, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Zinc Sulfate, and pyridoxine)

  • Maalox Junior Plus Antigas (containing Calcium Carbonate and Simethicone)

  • Maalox Max Quick Dissolve (containing Calcium Carbonate and Simethicone)

  • MagneBind 250/300 (containing Calcium Carbonate and magnesium carbonate)

  • MagneBind 400 Rx (containing Calcium Carbonate, Folic Acid, and magnesium carbonate)

  • MagneBind 400/200 (containing Calcium Carbonate and magnesium carbonate)

  • Marblen (containing Calcium Carbonate and magnesium carbonate)

  • Mi-Acid Double Strength (containing Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Monocal (containing Calcium Carbonate and Sodium Fluoride)

  • Mylanta Gelcap (containing Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Mylanta Supreme (containing Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Mylanta Ultra (containing Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Os-Cal 500 with D (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Os-Cal 500 with D Chewable (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Os-Cal Calcium with D3 (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Os-Cal Chewable (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Os-Cal Extra D3 (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Osteo-Poretical (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Oysco 500 with D (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Oysco D (containing Calcium Carbonate and Cholecalciferol)

  • Oyst Calcium (containing Calcium Carbonate and Vitamin D)

  • Pepcid Complete (containing Calcium Carbonate, Famotidine, and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Posture-D H/P (containing Calcium Carbonate and Vitamin D)

  • Premesis Rx (containing Calcium Carbonate, Folic Acid, Vitamin B 12, and pyridoxine)

  • Prenatal Rx 1 (containing Ascorbic Acid, Biotin, Calcium Carbonate, Cupric oxide, Ferrous fumarate, Folic Acid, Magnesium Oxide, Niacinamide, Pantothenic Acid, Riboflavin, Thiamine, Vitamin A, Vitamin B 12, Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, and Zinc Oxide)

  • Rolaids Multi-Symptom (containing Calcium Carbonate, Magnesium Hydroxide, and Simethicone)

  • Rolaids Plus Gas Relief (containing Calcium Carbonate and Simethicone)

  • Rolaids Reformulated Aug 2006 (containing Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Hydroxide)

  • Slow-Mag Reformulated Feb 2012 (containing Calcium Carbonate and Magnesium Chloride)

  • Titralac Plus (containing Calcium Carbonate and Simethicone)

  • Titralac Plus Liquid (containing Calcium Carbonate and Simethicone)

  • Tums Dual Action (containing Calcium Carbonate, Famotidine, and Magnesium Hydroxide)

What works?

  • Interventions for bone disease in children with chronic kidney disease Interventions for bone disease in children with chronic kidney disease
    Chronic kidney disease (CKD) resulting in reduced kidney function and the need for dialysis and kidney transplant is associated with abnormalities in blood calcium and phosphorus levels leading to high levels of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) and to bone disease. This may result in bone deformities, bone pain, fractures and reduced growth rates. Commonly used treatments (Vitamin D compounds and phosphate binders) aim to prevent or correct these outcomes. However these treatments may raise levels of blood calcium, allow calcium and phosphorus deposition in blood vessels and lead to early cardiovascular disease, which is known to be a problem in adults with CKD. This review identified only 15 small RCTs involving 369 children comparing different vitamin D compounds, different routes and frequencies of administration of vitamin D compounds and different phosphate binders. Only five RCTs reported on growth rates and no differences were detected between treatments. Renal bone disease, as assessed by changes in PTH levels, was improved by all vitamin D preparations regardless of preparation used or the route or frequency of administration. Fewer episodes of high blood calcium levels and lower overall serum calcium levels occurred with the non calcium‐containing binder, sevelamer, compared with calcium‐containing binders. As newer treatments for renal bone disease are developed, comparisons with the current standard therapies will be required in well designed RCTs in children using outcome measures including those of direct clinical relevance to children and their families such as rates of growth, reduction in bone fractures and bone pain and reduction in calcification in blood vessels.
See all (2)...

Learn about...

Conditions of interest

  • Hypoparathyroidism
    Hypoparathyroidism is is an endocrine disorder in which the parathyroid glands in the neck do not produce enough parathyroid hormone (PTH).
  • Pseudohypoparathyroidism
    Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a genetic disorder that is similar to hypoparathyroidism, but which results from the body's lack of response to parathyroid hormone rather than decreased production of the substance.
  • Osteoporosis
    Osteoporosis is the thinning of bone tissue and loss of bone density over time.

Recent activity

Clear Turn Off Turn On

Your browsing activity is empty.

Activity recording is turned off.

Turn recording back on

See more...
You are here: NCBI > Literature > PubMed Health
Write to the Help Desk