Calcium Carbonate

Excerpt

Calcium carbonate is an inorganic salt primarily used to manage and treat low calcium conditions, GERD, CKD, and other indicated conditions. Calcium carbonate is classified as a calcium supplement, antacid, and phosphate binder. This activity outlines the significant indications, actions, and contraindications for calcium carbonate as a valuable agent in treating osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and many other conditions or disorders that lower serum calcium levels. As an antacid, calcium carbonate also increases gastrointestinal motility and initiates peristalsis. Calcium carbonate works in the small intestines as a phosphate binder and drug chelator. In individuals with hyperphosphatemia or overdose, calcium will bind to form an insoluble compound blocking dietary phosphate or excess drug absorption and excreting it in feces. Calcium carbonate, used as a calcium supplement, also acts in the small intestine by chelating with oxalate to prevent absorption and renal calculi formation. Lastly, calcium carbonate also works in the blood to treat or prevent negative calcium balance seen in low serum calcium conditions. This activity will highlight the mechanism of action, adverse event profile, and other key factors (eg, off-label uses, dosing, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, monitoring, relevant interactions) pertinent for members of the healthcare team in the care of patients with low serum calcium, GERD, CKD, and related conditions.