Mosby's 2014 Nursing Drug Reference (76 page)

Canada only   Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening   
Nurse Alert

calcium carbonate
(
PO-OTC
)

AcidFree, Alka-Mints, Amitone, Apo-Cal
, Calcarb, Calci-Chew, Calci-Mix, Calcite
, Cal-Gest, Caltrate, Equaline Calcium, Leader Calcium, Maalox Antacid, Os-Cal 500, Rolaids Extra Strength Softchew, Tums, Tums E-X, Walgreens Calcium

calcium acetate (
OTC
)

(kal′see-um ass′e-tate)

Calphron, Eliphos, PhosLo

Func. class.:
Antacid, calcium supplement

Chem. class.:
Calcium product

Do not confuse:
Os-Cal
/Asacol

ACTION:

Neutralizes gastric acidity

USES:

Antacid, calcium supplement; not suitable for chronic therapy, hyperphosphatemia, hypertension during pregnancy, osteoporosis, prevention, treatment of hypocalcemia, hypoparathyroidism

Unlabeled uses:
Duodenal ulcer, PMS, stress gastritis

CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Hypersensitivity, hypercalcemia, hyperparathyroidism, bone tumors

Precautions:
Pregnancy (C), breastfeeding, geriatric patients, fluid restriction, decreased GI motility, GI obstruction, dehydration, renal disease

DOSAGE AND ROUTES
Calculator
Nutritional supplement including osteoporosis prophylaxis

• Adult ≥51 yr:
PO
1000-1500 mg/day elemental calcium (2500-3750 mg/day calcium carbonate)

• Adult 19-50 yr:
PO
1000 mg/day elemental calcium (2500 mg/day calcium carbonate)

Chronic hypocalcemia

• Adult:
PO
2-4 g/day elemental calcium (5-10 g/day calcium carbonate) in 3-4 divided doses

• Child:
PO
45-65 mg/kg/day elemental calcium (112.5-162.5 mg/kg/day calcium carbonate) in 4 divided doses

• Neonate:
PO
50-150 mg/kg/day elemental calcium (125-375 mg/kg/day in 4-6 divided doses, max 1 g/day)

Supplementation

• Adolescent and child 9-18 yr:
PO
1300 mg elemental calcium (3250 mg calcium carbonate)

• Child 4-8 yr:
PO
800 mg/day elemental calcium (2000 mg/day calcium carbonate)

• Child 1-3 yr:
PO
500 mg/day elemental calcium (1250 mg/day calcium carbonate)

• Infant 6-12 mo:
PO
270 mg/day elemental calcium based on total intake

• Neonates and infants <6 mo:
PO
210 mg/day elemental calcium based on total intake

Hyperphosphatemia

• Adult:
PO
Individualized on response

Heartburn, dyspepsia, hyperacidity (OTC)

• Adult:
PO
1-2 tabs q2hr, max 9 tabs/24 hr (Alka-mints); chew 2-4 tab q1hr prn, max 16 tabs (Tums regular strength); chew 2-4 tab q1hr prn, max 10 tabs (Tums E-X); chew 2-3 tabs q1hr prn, max 10 tabs/24 hr (Tums Ultra); chew 2 tabs q2-3hr, max 19 tabs/24 hr (Titralac Extra Strength)

Duodenal ulcer/stress gastritis (unlabeled)

• Adult:
PO
80-140 mEq q1-3hr

PMS (unlabeled)

• Adult:
PO
(Tums EX, Tums Calcium for Life PMS) Chew 2 tabs bid

Available forms:
Calcium carbonate:
chewable tabs 350, 420, 450, 500, 750, 1000, 1250 mg; tabs 500, 600, 650, 667, 1000, 1250, 1500 mg; gum 300, 450, 500 mg; susp 1250 mg/5 ml; caps 1250 mg; powder 6.5 g/packet;
calcium acetate:
tabs 250 mg (65 mg Ca), 667 mg (169 mg Ca), 668 mg (169 mg Ca), 1 g (250 mg Ca); caps 500 mg (125 mg Ca)

Administer:
PO route

• 
Do not give enteric-coated within 1 hr of calcium carbonate

• 
For ulcer treatment (adjunct): give 1 and 3 hr after meals and at bedtime

• 
For a phosphate binder: give 1 hr after each meal or snack and at bedtime

• 
For supplement: give 1-1½ hr after meals; avoid oxalic acid foods (spinach, rhubarb), phytic acid (brans, cereals) or phosphorus (milk, dairy), may decrease calcium absorption

• 
Suspension: shake well, use calibrated measuring device

• 
Laxatives or stool softeners if constipation occurs

SIDE EFFECTS

GI:
Constipation
, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, flatulence, diarrhea, rebound hyperacidity, eructation

GU:
Calculi, hypercalciuria

PHARMACOKINETICS

1/3 of dose absorbed by small intestine, onset 20 min, duration 20-180 min, excreted in feces and urine, crosses placenta, must have adequate vit D for absorption

INTERACTIONS

Increase:
digoxin toxicity—hypercalcemia

Increase:
plasma levels of quiNIDine, amphetamines

Increase:
hypercalcemia—thiazide diuretics

Decrease:
levels of salicylates, calcium channel blockers, ketoconazole, iron salts, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, phenytoin, etidronate, risedronate, atenolol

Drug/Lab Test

False increase:
chloride

False positive:
benzodiazepines

False decrease:
magnesium, oxylate, lipase

NURSING CONSIDERATIONS
Assess:

• 
Calcium (serum, urine), calcium should be 8.5-10.5 mg/dl, urine calcium should be 150 mg/day, monitor weekly; serum phosphate

 
Milk-alkali syndrome:
nausea, vomiting, disorientation, headache

• 
Constipation; increase bulk in the diet if needed

• 
Hypercalcemia:
headache, nausea, vomiting, confusion; hypocalcemia: paresthesia, twitching colic, dysrhythmias, Chvostek’s sign, Trousseau’s sign

• 
Those taking digoxin for toxicity

• 
Antacid—for abdominal pain, heartburn, indigestion before, after administration

Evaluate:

• 
Therapeutic response: absence of pain, decreased acidity; decreased hyperphosphatemia with renal failure

Teach patient/family:

• 
To increase fluids to 2 L unless contraindicated; to add bulk to diet for consti
pation; to notify prescriber of constipation

• 
Not to switch antacids unless directed by prescriber; not to use as antacid for >2 wk without approval by prescriber

• 
That therapeutic dose recommendations are figured as elemental calcium

• 
To avoid excessive use of alcohol, caffeine, tobacco

• 
To avoid spinach, cereals, dairy products in large amounts

Canada only   Side effects:
italics
= common;
bold
= life-threatening   
Nurse Alert

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