Calcium Supplements (Systemic)

Proper Use of This Dietary Supplement

Dosing - The amount of calcium needed to meet normal daily recommended intakes will be different for different individuals. The following information includes only the average amounts of calcium.

• For oral dosage form (capsules, chewable tablets, lozenges, oral solution, oral suspension, syrup, tablets, extended-release tablets, tablets for solution):
  • To prevent deficiency, the amount taken by mouth is based on normal daily recommended intakes (Note that the normal daily recommended intakes are expressed as an actual amount of calcium. The salt form [e.g., calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, etc.] has a different strength):
    For the U.S.
    • Adults and teenagers - 800 to 1200 milligrams (mg) per day.
    • Pregnant and breast-feeding females - 1200 mg per day.
    • Children 4 to 10 years of age - 800 mg per day.
    • Children birth to 3 years of age - 400 to 800 mg per day.
    For Canada
    • Adult and teenage males - 800 to 1100 mg per day.
    • Adult and teenage females - 700 to 1100 mg per day.
    • Pregnant and breast-feeding females - 1200 to 1500 mg per day.
    • Children 7 to 10 years of age - 700 to 1100 mg per day.
    • Children 4 to 6 years of age - 600 mg per day.
    • Children birth to 3 years of age - 250 to 550 mg per day.
  • To treat deficiency:
    • Adults, teenagers, and children - Treatment dose is determined by prescriber for each individual based on severity of deficiency.

Drink a full glass (8 ounces) of water or juice when taking a calcium supplement. However, if you are taking calcium carbonate as a phosphate binder in kidney dialysis, it is not necessary to drink a glass of water.

This dietary supplement is best taken 1 to 11/2 hours after meals , unless otherwise directed by your health care professional. However, patients with a condition known as achlorhydria may not absorb calcium supplements on an empty stomach and should take them with meals.

For individuals taking the chewable tablet form of this dietary supplement:

• Chew the tablets completely before swallowing.

For individuals taking the syrup form of this dietary supplement:

• Take the syrup before meals. This will allow the dietary supplement to work faster.
• Mix in water or fruit juice for infants or children.

Take this dietary supplement only as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than recommended on the label. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Missed dose - If you are taking this dietary supplement on a regular schedule and you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, then go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Storage - To store this dietary supplement:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the dietary supplement to break down.
• Keep the liquid form of this dietary supplement from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated dietary supplements or those no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded dietary supplement is out of the reach of children.