Adcal-D3 Dissolve 1500mg/400iu Effervescent Tablets Pack of 56

Dissolved in water

This is the effervescent form of Adcal-D3. One tablet is dissolved in approximately 200ml of water and drunk immediately. It is not chewed or swallowed whole. Of the three Adcal-D3 formats, this is the easiest for anyone who struggles with tablets of any kind, and it adds to your fluid intake at the same time.

Calcium and vitamin D3

Each tablet provides calcium carbonate 1500mg, equivalent to 600mg of calcium, with vitamin D3 400 IU. Both are essential for healthy bones and teeth, and this medicine is used where the body's calcium and vitamin D levels need to be increased. It can be prescribed by doctors for certain bone conditions, for example osteoporosis.

The 56 pack

Supplied as four tubes of 14 tablets. At two tablets daily, 56 tablets last four weeks.

Worth knowing about the sodium

Being effervescent, these tablets contain more sodium than the chewable or caplet forms — 42.03mg per tablet, equivalent to 2.1% of the recommended maximum daily intake for an adult. If you are on a low sodium diet or have been advised to watch your salt intake, speak to your pharmacist about which form suits you best.

Practical details

• Calcium carbonate 1500mg (600mg calcium) and vitamin D3 400 IU per tablet
• Lemon flavoured, white, round effervescent tablets
• Two tablets daily, dissolved in water
• Adults, elderly and children over 12 years
• Four tubes of 14, 56 tablets in total

• Adults, elderly and children over 12 years of age: 2 tablets daily, ideally one taken in the morning and one in the evening. Dissolve one tablet in a glass of water (approximately 200ml) and drink immediately. Do not chew or swallow the tablets whole.
• Children under 12: Adcal-D3 Dissolve must not be given to children under 12 years.

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-D3 Dissolve.

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. Signs of overdose may include a frequent urge to urinate, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, and unusual tiredness or weakness.

Do not store above 30°C. Keep the container tightly closed. Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not take if you

• are allergic to calcium carbonate, vitamin D3 or any of the other ingredients

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you

• have high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcaemia) or in your urine (hypercalciuria)
• have problems with your kidneys, for example kidney stones
• have sarcoidosis
• 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. Tell your doctor if you are taking orlistat, as this may reduce absorption of vitamin D.

If you are taking thyroxine, bisphosphonates, zinc, strontium ranelate, 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 these tablets. Do not take them at the same time.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

In pregnancy or when breast-feeding, Adcal-D3 Dissolve should only be used under medical supervision. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Sucrose, sodium and sorbitol

• The tablets contain a small amount of sugar and may be harmful to the teeth if used for a prolonged period.
• If you have been told you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
• This medicine contains 42.03mg of sodium in each tablet, equivalent to 2.1% of the recommended maximum daily dietary intake of sodium for an adult.
• This medicine contains 0.6mg sorbitol in each tablet.

Possible side effects

Frequency not known: allergic reactions, with symptoms including itching, wheezing, rash, and swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat. If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking the tablets and seek medical attention immediately.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): constipation, wind, feeling sick, stomach ache, diarrhoea; skin rash; hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria.

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 substances: calcium carbonate 1500mg (equivalent to 600mg calcium) and vitamin D3 400 IU (equivalent to 10 micrograms).

Other ingredients: citric acid anhydrous, malic acid, sodium hydrogen carbonate (E500), sodium cyclamate (E953), lemon flavour (containing lemon oil, lime flavouring, sorbitol (E420), mannitol (E421), gluconolactone, maltodextrin and acacia), sodium carbonate (E500), maltodextrin and saccharin sodium (E954). The vitamin D3 compound contains modified starch, sucrose, sodium ascorbate, medium chain triglycerides, colloidal anhydrous silica and all-rac-alpha-tocopherol.