Adcal 1500mg Chewable Tablets Pack of 100

Calcium without vitamin D

Adcal provides extra calcium to your diet, and is used in conditions where your body's calcium levels need to be increased. It can be prescribed by doctors for certain bone conditions. The important distinction from the rest of the Adcal range is that this one contains no vitamin D3, which makes it the right choice if your vitamin D is already being managed separately or your doctor has specifically advised calcium alone.

Chewable, fruit flavoured

The tablets are white, flat and circular, and are chewed rather than swallowed whole. They are taken just before, during or straight after a meal.

Who it is for

Unlike the Adcal-D3 products, which are limited to adults and children over 12, these tablets are for adults, the elderly and children. They also contain no soya, where the D3 versions do.

Practical details

• Calcium carbonate 1500mg, equivalent to 600mg calcium, per tablet
• No vitamin D
• Two tablets daily, taken with meals
• Essentially sodium-free
• Pharmacy medicine

Adults, elderly and children: 2 tablets daily, ideally one tablet taken in the morning and one in the evening, just before, during or straight after a meal.

Adcal tablets should be chewed. Do not swallow whole.

Do not take this medicine within 2 hours of eating foods rich in oxalic acid (such as spinach and rhubarb), phosphate (such as bran), or phytic acid (such as whole cereals).

If you forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as possible and continue as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.

Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before stopping Adcal.

If you take too many tablets, contact your doctor or pharmacist. If you cannot, go to your nearest hospital casualty department immediately, taking the pack and remaining tablets with you.

Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package, keeping the container in the outer carton. Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not take if you

• are allergic to calcium carbonate or any of the other ingredients
• have a higher than normal level of calcium in your blood (hypercalcaemia)
• have very high levels of calcium in your urine (severe hypercalciuria)
• have severe kidney failure and are not being treated by renal dialysis
• have kidney stones
• have osteoporosis due to long-term immobility

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you

• have higher than normal levels of calcium in your urine (mild to moderate hypercalciuria)
• have mild to moderate problems with your kidneys
• have previously been told you have an intolerance to some sugars
• are taking any other medication, including anything bought without a prescription

Other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking calcium supplements or antacids for indigestion, digitalis drugs such as Lanoxin, diuretics or corticosteroids.

If you are taking thyroxine, bisphosphonates, iron or fluoride medicines, or tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics, make sure your doctor knows. Leave a period of about 4 hours between those medicines and your Adcal tablets. Do not take them at the same time.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. In pregnancy or when breast-feeding, Adcal should only be used under medical supervision.

Information about some of the ingredients

• The tablets contain a small amount of sugar and may be harmful to the teeth if used for a prolonged period.
• This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.

Possible side effects

Rare (affecting fewer than 1 in 1,000 people): constipation, wind, feeling sick, stomach ache, diarrhoea.

If you are on long term treatment your doctor may from time to time check the level of calcium in your blood and take urine samples to monitor kidney function.

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed here. You can also report side effects via the Yellow Card Scheme at yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Active substance: calcium carbonate. Each tablet contains 1500mg calcium carbonate, equivalent to 600mg calcium.

Other ingredients: xylitol (E967), polydextrose, pre-gelatinised starch, sodium saccharin (E954), magnesium stearate, and fruit flavour (containing propylene glycol and maltodextrin).