Calac................ Calcium Lactate

Calac

Calcium Lactate

Description

Calcium Lactate (Calac?) has three main actions; it supplements dietary calcium, neutralizes gastric acid in peptic ulcer disease and sequesters phosphorus in the intestine to reduce total body phosphate accumulation in chronic renal failure.

Composition

Calac ? Tablet: Each tablet contains Calcium Lactate Pentahydrate BP 300 mg.

Mode of action

Calcium lactate reacts with gastric acid to produce a salt and water. The doses commonly used result in a pH of over 9 when dissolved in 30-40 ml of water. In chronic renal failure patients, calcium lactate is used as a phosphate binding agent, alone or in combination with an aluminium containing drug. The resulting reduction in serum phosphorus concentration may be due only in part to phosphate binding in the gut, as it has been suggested that increased deposition of calcium phosphate in bone and soft tissue may also be important.

Indications

For dietary calcium supplementation, as a phosphate binder in chronic renal failure and as an antacid.

Dosage & administration

In simple deficiency states calcium lactate may be given by mouth in doses to provide upto 50 mmol of calcium daily. The dosage should be adjusted to the individual patient?s requirement. (Ca++ mmol = 40 mg calcium lactate)

Side effects

The main symptomatic adverse effects in calcium lactate therapy are related to hypercalcaemia. However, constipation may be a problem with normal serum calcium.

Contraindications

Calcium lactate should not be given in hypercalcaemia, hyperparathyroidism, renal calculi, nephrolithiasis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, concomitant digoxin therapy (requires careful monitoring of serum calcium level).

Use in pregnancy & lactation

Calcium containing drugs are used widely in pregnancy by way of oral calcium  supplementation or antacid therapy. There is no contraindication to the use of calcium lactate in lactating women.

Precautions

Calcium lactate should be given cautiously to patients with impaired renal function or diseases associated with elevated vitamin D concentrations such as sarcoidosis.

Drug interactions

Corticosteroids reduce calcium absorption. Calcium enhances the effects of digitalis glycosides on the heart and may precipitate digitalis intoxication. It also reduces the absorption of bisphosphonates, fluoride, some fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines; administration should be separated by at least 3 hours.

Storage

Store in a cool and dry place, protected from light. 

Packaging

Calac ? Tablet: Each carton contains 10x10 tablets in blister pack.