Do not use this medication if you have high levels of calcium in your blood, or if you are also taking digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps).
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether calcium acetate passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Take this medication with each meal, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
You may need to keep a food diary to measure how much calcium you are getting in your diet.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition and not causing harmful side effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. You may also need x-rays to check for calcium deposits around your joints or other soft tissues. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store calcium acetate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Be sure to take the medicine with food. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
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nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
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constipation;
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dry mouth or increased thirst; or
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urinating more than usual.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Do not use this medication if you have high levels of calcium in your blood, or if you are also taking digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps).
Do not take additional calcium supplements unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid using antacids without your doctor’s advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Many antacids contain calcium and you could be getting too much of this mineral if you take a calcium antacid with calcium acetate.
Do not take additional calcium supplements unless your doctor has told you to.
Avoid using antacids without your doctor’s advice. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Many antacids contain calcium and you could be getting too much of this mineral if you take a calcium antacid with calcium acetate.
Before taking calcium acetate, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
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demeclocycline (Declomycin);
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doxycycline (Adoxa, Doryx, Oracea, Vibramycin);
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minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn, Vectrin); or
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tetracycline (Brodspec, Panmycin, Sumycin, Tetracap).
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use calcium acetate , or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect calcium acetate . Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.
Symptoms of a calcium acetate overdose may include nausea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, increased thirst or urination, constipation, confusion, fainting, or coma.