Adcal-D3 Lemon Chewable Tablets Pack of 56

Calcium and vitamin D3 together

Each tablet provides calcium carbonate 1500mg, equivalent to 600mg of calcium, with vitamin D3 400 IU. Calcium and vitamin D3 are both 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.

Lemon rather than tutti frutti

Adcal-D3 chewable tablets come in two flavours, and this is the sharper of the two. The formulation is otherwise identical, so it comes down to taste. The lemon tablets use a plain lemon flavouring, where the tutti frutti contains propylene glycol.

The 56 pack

At two tablets daily, 56 tablets last four weeks. A sensible size if you are trying the lemon flavour for the first time or buying month by month. The 112 pack covers two months if you take it continuously.

Before you take them

These tablets contain soya oil and must not be taken by anyone allergic to peanut or soya. They also interact with a number of common medicines, including thyroxine, bisphosphonates and some antibiotics, which need to be taken about four hours apart from these. Read the warnings in full and check with your pharmacist if you take anything else regularly.

Always take this medicine exactly as described in the leaflet or as your doctor has told you.

• Adults, elderly and children over 12 years of age: 2 tablets daily, ideally one tablet taken in the morning and one in the evening. The tablets should be chewed. Do not swallow whole.
• Children under 12: must not be given to children under 12 years old.

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 this medicine.

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 25°C. 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
• are allergic to peanut or soya — these tablets contain soya oil

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, this medicine should only be used under medical supervision. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.

Sucrose and soya oil

These 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. They contain soya oil — if you are allergic to peanut or soya, do not use this medicine.

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 (too much calcium in the blood) or hypercalciuria (too much calcium in the urine).

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 400iu (equivalent to 10mcg colecalciferol).

Other ingredients: xylitol (E967), modified maize starch, sodium saccharin (E954), magnesium stearate and lemon flavouring. The vitamin D3 compound contains DL-tocopherol, edible fats (including soya oil), gelatin, sucrose and corn starch.