Information for the Public
What is theiCal-D3® 1000mg/880 IU chewable tablets
theiCal-D3® 1000mg/880 IU chewable tablets is a calcium and vitamin D supplement used to:
- Treat and prevent calcium and vitamin D deficiency in the elderly.
- Provide calcium and vitamin D supplementation in patients who need treatment for osteoporosis (brittle bones).
Before you take theiCal-D3® always check with your doctor or pharmacist and do not take this medicine if any of the following apply to you:
- Previous hypersensitivity (allergic reaction) to calcium, vitamin D3 or any of the other ingredients that make up this medicine. A complete list of all the ingredients can be found in the information leaflet that is in the medicine package.
- If, for any reason, you already have high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcaemia).
- If, for any reason, you have a high level of calcium in your urine (hypercalciuria).
- If you have overactive parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism). These glands produce a hormone that controls the level of calcium in your body.
- If you have bone marrow cancer (myeloma) as this can increase the amount of calcium in your blood.
- If you have a cancer that has spread to bones (metastases) as this may lead to an increase in the level of calcium in your blood.
- If you have kidney stones.
- If you have calcium deposits in your kidneys (nephrocalcinosis).
- If you have too much vitamin D in your body (a condition known as hypervitaminosis D).
- If you have severe kidney problems.
- If you are unable to move arms or legs for a prolonged period (e.g. immobilisation due to injury) and you also have hypercalcaemia or hypercalciuria i.e. excess calcium in the blood or urine respectively.
If you are taking theiCal-D3® 1000mg/880 unit chewable tablets then extra care should be taken during treatment if any of the following circumstances apply to you:
- During long term use of this medicine levels of calcium in your blood and urine should be checked at regular intervals and kidney function should also be checked.
- If you are taking a drug known as digoxin or a thiazide diuretic (water tablet) to treat a heart condition then the levels of calcium in your blood and urine and your kidney function should be checked regularly.
- If you already have kidney problems then it is essential that the levels of calcium in your blood and urine are checked at regular intervals.
- Do not take extra doses of this medicine or any other additional supplements of calcium and vitamin D unless advised by your doctor.
- If you have an immune system condition known as sarcoidosis then calcium levels in the blood and urine must be checked at regular intervals.
Taking other medicines along with theiCal-D3®
Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking theiCal-D3® if you are currently taking any other medicines either prescribed or obtained without a prescription.
The following specific points should be noted when taking certain medicines along with theiCal-D3®:
- The absorption of tetracycline antibiotics can be reduced and may not therefore work effectively if taken at the same time of day as theiCal-D3®. These antibiotics should be taken at least 2 hours before or 4-6 hours after taking theiCal-D3® chewable tablet.
- Bisphosphonate drugs e.g. alendronate , risedronate or ibandronate should be taken at least 3 hours before theiCal-D3® chewable tablet.
- Antibiotics known as quinolone antibiotics should be taken 2 hours before or 6 hours after theiCal-D3® chewable tablet.
- Levothyroxine tablets (used to treat thyroid disorders) should be taken 4 hours before or 4 hours after theiCal-D3® chewable tablet.
- The effect of vitamin D can be reduced (meaning that you may have lower levels of calcium in the blood) if you are also taking phenytoin (for the treatment of epilepsy), barbiturates (sleeping tablets) or corticosteroid drugs such as prednisolone.
- If you are taking colestyramine (used to lower cholesterol levels) then you should leave as long a gap as possible each day before taking theiCal-D3® chewable tablet otherwise the amount of vitamin D that is absorbed may be reduced.
When to take theiCal-D3® chewable tablet
The tablets can be taken at any time of the day, with or without food with the following exceptions: Please note that oxalic acid (contained in spinach and rhubarb) and phytic acid (contained in wholegrain cereals) can reduce the amount of calcium you absorb in your bowel. In the 2 hours before or after eating food containing high amounts of oxalic or phytic acid you should not take medicinal products that contain calcium.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
If you are pregnant you may use theiCal-D3® 1000 mg / 880 IU chewable tablets in case of a calcium and vitamin D deficiency. The daily dose of half a tablet must not be exceeded. During pregnancy the total daily amount of calcium should not be higher than 1,500 mg and the total daily amount of vitamin D3 should not be higher than 600 IU (International Units).
Long-term overdose of calcium and vitamin D during pregnancy must be avoided since this may lead to high levels of calcium in the blood and may have a negative effect on the unborn child.
theiCal-D3® 1000 mg / 880 IU chewable tablets can be used during breast-feeding. As calcium and vitamin D pass into breast-milk check with your doctor first if your child receives any other products containing vitamin D.
Important information about some of the ingredients of theiCal-D3® 1000 mg / 880 IU chewable tablets
This medicine contains aspartame (E951), a source of phenylalanine which may be harmful for people with phenylketonuria. This medicine also contains sorbitol (E420), isomalt (E953) and sucrose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
How to take theiCal-D3® 1000mg/880 IU chewable tablets
The dosage for adults and the elderly is one tablet daily. In pregnancy the dose is half a tablet daily (do not exceed this dose). The tablets should be chewed well and then swallowed. theiCal-D3® usually has to be taken as a long term treatment but please check with your doctor about how long you should take the tablets.
If you have taken excess doses of calcium and vitamin D
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you experience symptoms of overdose such as vomiting, nausea, excessive thirst, increased passing of urine, dehydration or constipation.
Possible side effects
There are a number of reported side effects but not everyone will get these. These include nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, wind, itching and rash.
There have been very rare reports of allergic reactions so if you experience sudden swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat with difficulty breathing and a severe rash please contact a doctor immediately. Do not take any more of theiCal-D3® tablets if this happens.
How to store theiCal-D3® 1000mg/880 IU chewable tablets
Store safely out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use the tablets beyond the expiry date stated on the packaging. If you need to dispose of any medication please take it to any pharmacy. Medicines should not be thrown out in household waste or be flushed into the wastewater supply.
Further information including the full list of ingredients of theiCal-D3® 1000mg/880 IU chewable tablets is contained in the package leaflet.