ORTHOCAL-D ™

ORTHOCAL-D 15S TABLET
Generic : Calcium + Vitamin D
Thearapeutic : Vitamin & Minerals
Pack Size : 15s
Strength :
Dosage Form : Tablet

Orthocal

Calcium 500  mg

Composition

  • Orthocal 500 mg Tablet: Each film-coated tablet contains Calcium Carbonate equivalent to 500 mg of elemental Calcium.

Pharmacology

Calcium carbonate reacts with gastric acid to produce salt and water. For calcium carbonate, the postulated chemical reaction is CaCO3 + 2HCl = CaCl2 + H2O + CO2. Two grams of calcium carbonate will readily bring 100 ml of hydrochloric acid to a pH above 6. The increase in gastric pH diminishes the activity of pepsin in the gastric secretion. Up to 30% of the oral calcium load may be absorbed.

Indications

Orthocal 500 (Calcium Carbonate) is used for the treatment or prevention of calcium depletion in patients in whom dietary measures are inadequate. Conditions that may be associated with calcium deficiency include hypoparathyroidism, achlorhydria, chronic diarrhea, vitamin D deficiency, steatorrhea, sprue, pregnancy and lactation, menopause, pancreatitis, renal failure, alkalosis, and hyperphosphataemia. Calcium Carbonate is being used increasingly often to treat hyperphosphataemia in chronic renal failure as well as those on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and hemodialysis. Many patients are unable to tolerate sufficient doses for complete phosphate control and require additional measures such as stringent dietary phosphate restriction or relatively small doses of aluminum hydroxide. Calcium Carbonate-containing preparations can provide short-term relief of dyspeptic systems but are no longer recommended for long-term treatment of peptic ulceration.

Dosage and administration

Calcium Carbonate is always used orally and when used as an antacid the recommended doses for adults are equivalent to 540-2000 mg Calcium Carbonate per day, doses for children being half of those for adults. As a dietary supplement, such as for the prevention of osteoporosis, 1250-3750 mg Calcium Carbonate (500-1500 mg calcium) daily is recommended in general, but again this will need to be tailored to the individual patient depending on any specific disease such as Calcium deficiency, malabsorption or parathyroid function. In pregnancy and lactation, the recommended daily dose of calcium is 1200-1500 mg. In chronic renal failure the doses used vary from 2.5 - 9.0 gm Calcium Carbonate per day and need to be adjusted according to the individual patient. To maximize effective phosphate binding in this context the Calcium Carbonate should be given with meals.

Side-effects

Orally administered Calcium Carbonate may be irritating to the GI tract. It may also cause constipation. Hypercalcaemia is rarely produced by administration of calcium alone but may occur when large doses are given to patients with chronic renal failure

Contraindication and precaution

1. Hypercalcaemia and hyperparathyroidism

2. Hypercalciuria and nephrolithiasis

3. Zollinger-Ellison syndrome

4. Concomitant digoxin therapy (requires careful monitoring of serum calcium level) When hypercalcemia occurs, discontinuation of the drug is usually sufficient to return serum calcium concentrations to normal. Calcium salts should be used cautiously in patients with sarcoidosis, renal or cardiac disease, and in patients receiving cardiac glycosides.

Drug interaction

Calcium Carbonate may enhance the cardiac effects of digoxin and other cardiac glycosides if systemic hypercalcemia occurs. Calcium Carbonate may interfere with the absorption of concomitantly administered tetracycline preparations and in chronic renal failure modification of vitamin D therapy may be required to avoid hypercalcemia when Calcium Carbonate is used as the primary phosphate binder.

Use in pregnancy and lactation

  • Calcium-containing drugs have been widely used in pregnancy by way of oral calcium supplementation or antacid therapy. Calcium Carbonate can be used in lactating women too.

Use in children

  • Calcium carbonate has been extensively studied in children and infants with chronic renal failure and is both safe and effective.

Use in elderly

  • In the case of elderly patients with renal failure when calcium carbonate is taken constipation may be troublesome for this group. For this reason, monitoring of serum calcium and phosphate is of course indicated for elderly patients.

Storage condition

  • Store below 30oC in a dry place. Keep away from light.

Commercial pack

  • Orthocal 500 mg Tablet: Box containing 5 x 10 tablets in a blister pack.

Biopharma Ltd. Produces ORTHOCAL-D 15S TABLET it is a trusted product for alleviating various discomforts, and it's commonly found in pharmacies and stores.

BIOPHARMA   AFFILIATE  COMPANIES