Calcium Acetate (By Mouth)

Calcium Acetate (KAL-see-um AS-a-tate)

Helps control the amount of phosphorus in blood and is used for patients whose kidneys have stopped working.

Brand Name(s):

PhosLo, Phoslo
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to calcium acetate or if you have too much calcium in your blood (hypercalcemia).

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use and how often. You should not use more of this medicine than your doctor ordered.
• Your kidneys help your body get rid of phosphorus, which is a mineral. When your kidneys stop working, you can get too much phosphorus in your blood.
• This medicine keeps the phosphorus in food that you eat from being digested and getting absorbed by your body.
• For the medicine to work, you will need to take it with meals.

If a dose is missed:

• If you have just eaten a meal in the past hour, use your usual dose of the medicine. Use your next dose at your regularly scheduled time.
• If it has been more than 1 hour or if it is almost time for your next meal, skip the missed dose. Then use your next dose at your regular time.
• You should not use two doses at one time.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Keep the tablets at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• You should not use other calcium supplements or eat foods that have large amounts of calcium (such as milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs meats, and some kinds of cereals) while you are using this medicine. Eating or taking too much calcium while you are using this medicine can cause a harmful problem called hypercalcemia (too much calcium in your blood).
• You should not use antacids unless you have talked with your doctor.
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are using tetracycline or digitalis (a type of heart medicine).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
• You may be on a special diet that is low in foods that have phosphorus, such as milk, cheese, nuts, beans, peas, chocolate, green leafy vegetables, and some soft drinks. Follow the diet that your doctor gave you.
• If you have mild hypercalcemia, you may lose your appetite and have nausea, vomiting, or constipation. If the problem is severe, you may feel confused or extremely excited. Call your doctor right away if you think you might have severe hypercalcemia.
• Sometimes, you might have too much calcium in your blood and not have any warning signs. You may need to have blood tests on a regular schedule while you are being treated with this medicine to check the amount of calcium and phosphorus in your blood. Keep all appointments your doctor makes for you.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Feeling confused or extremely excited

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation
• Mild itching

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.