Description
Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the body. Calcium is an important structural component of bone and teeth and is also necessary for the normal functioning of all muscles (skeletal, heart and smooth muscles) and nerves as well as the normal clotting of blood. Prolonged, inadequate intake of Calcium causes weak bones. Calcium can also bind to other minerals (such as phosphate) and aid in their removal from the body.
Vapnik contains oyster shell calcium carbonate from organic sources. Calcium carbonate products contain 40% calcium (absorbable calcium). Therefore, a 1250 mg tablet of calcium carbonate provides 500 mg of calcium.
Composition
One film-coated tablet of Vapnik contains 500 mg calcium.
Indications
Vapnik is recommended to bind and remove excessive phosphate and to increase the intake of calcium in individuals whose diets are low in calcium for preventing and treating osteoporosis.
Precautions and Warnings
Avoid taking more doses than recommended.
Missed dose: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take it if it is near the time for the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not ‘double-up’ the dose to catch up.
Pregnancy: Use of calcium supplements during pregnancy appears to be safe.
Nursing Mothers: Calcium supplements are safe when used by nursing mothers. Do not eat large amounts of bran or wholegrain cereals and breads. They may reduce absorption of calcium. Also, consuming alcohol, large amounts of caffeine and tobacco smoking may affect the absorption of calcium. Do not start or stop any medicine without your doctor’s approval.
Adverse Reactions
Calcium is generally well tolerated. High levels of calcium can cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, stomach pain, thirst, dry mouth and increased urination. Severe hypercalcemia may cause confusion, delirium, stupor and coma.
Drug Interactions
Calcium may interact with or make it harder for your body to absorb certain drugs especially:
- Digoxin
- Antacids or other calcium supplements
- Calcitriol or vitamin D supplements
- Tetracycline, Demeclocycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline or Oxytetracyclin
To prevent this interaction, doses of quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics should be separated by three or more hours from doses of calcium.
Calcium reduces acidity in the stomach, though there may be a rebound phenomenon which causes a greater than normal amount of acid to be produced after the initial acid-reducing effects of the calcium wears off. The reduction of acid decreases the absorption of iron from the intestine. Therefore, doses of calcium and iron should be separated by several hours.
Dosage and Administration
The usual recommended dose of Vapnik for adults is one tablet thrice a day with meals.
Storage
Store at room temperature, away from light and moisture.
Presentation
15 tablets packed in a blister, 10 such blisters packed in a carton