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theiCal-D3® 1000mg/880 IU chewable tablets
theiCal-D3® 1000mg/880 IU chewable tablets (pack of 30 tablets in foil wrapping) is available from all major wholesalers. Pharmacists ordering theiCal-D3® should use the PIP code 390-8571 and the NHS list price is £2.95 for 30 tablets. The shelf life of the product is 24 months and there are no special storage requirements necessary.
Mechanism of action
Calcium Vitamin D3 1000 mg / 880 IU chewable tablets is a fixed combination of calcium and vitamin D3. The high calcium and vitamin D3 concentration in each dose unit enables sufficient absorption of calcium with a limited number of doses. Vitamin D3 is involved in calcium-phosphorus metabolism. It allows the active absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine and their uptake by bone. Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D3 corrects latent vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism.
theiCal-D3® 1000mg/880 IU chewable tablets
theiCal-D3® is a chewable formulation that will complement the existing range of calcium and vitamin D formulations that are available. Single daily dose administration is aimed at improving compliance and concordance with therapy – particularly important amongst the target groups of patients with or at high risk of developing osteoporosis.
- Launched 2nd October 2014, following MHRA approval.
- One chewable tablet delivers 880 IU a day of vitamin D3, and 1000 mg of calcium. Once daily dosing should improve compliance and concordance with treatment and administration can be at any time of the day irrespective of the presence of food in the stomach.
- A 30 day pack is priced at £2.95, costing less than 10p per day for daily patient treatment.
- There is no gelatine in the tablet and it is suitable for vegetarians. (not suitable for vegans)
- The tablet does not contain any nut oil or peanut oil.
- The dose in pregnancy is one half tablet per day meaning the cost in pregnancy is less than 5p per day.
Each chewable tablet contains 2,500mg of calcium carbonate equivalent to 1,000mg of calcium and 8.8mg of colecalciferol concentrate (powder form) equivalent to 22 micrograms of colecalciferol = 880 IU of vitamin D3.
Each chewable tablet also contains aspartame (E951), sorbitol (E420), isomalt (E953) and sucrose as excipients.
Indications
For the prevention and treatment of vitamin D and calcium deficiency in the elderly. Also as an adjunct to specific osteoporosis treatment of patients who are at risk of vitamin D and calcium deficiency.
Dosage and administration
In adults and the elderly one chewable tablet daily. Tablets are for oral use and should be chewed and then swallowed. The chewable tablets can be taken at any time of day with or without food.
Dosage in renal impairment
theiCal-D3® 1000 mg/ 880 IU chewable tablets should not be used in patients with severe renal impairment.
Dosage in pregnancy
Daily intake should not exceed 1,500 mg of calcium and 600 IU of vitamin D therefore the daily dose in pregnancy must not exceed half a tablet.
The clinical relevance of calcium and vitamin D supplementation
NICE advises in TA1601 and TA1612 that supplementation should be considered for women who require bisphosphonate therapy unless clinicians are confident that patients are already calcium and vitamin D replete. Vitamin D levels decline with age and this is particularly apparent amongst frail elderly patients >75 years of age. NICE concludes that a dose of at least 1G of calcium and 800 units of vitamin D per day is reasonable for these patient groups.
theiCal-D3® 1000 mg / 880 IU chewable tablet is the first product designed to provide the lowest effective dose of calcium 1000mg per day combined with a dose of vitamin D in excess of the 800 IU recommended in combination to maintain bone health.
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Patient Information Leaflets and Summary of Product Characteristics
1. NICE technology appraisals [TA160]
2. NICE technology appraisals [TA161]
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