Acical-C Tablet
Indications
This is indicated in-
- Increased demand for Calcium and Vitamin-C, e.g. pregnancy, lactation, periods of rapid growth (childhood, adolescence), in old age
- During infectious disease and convalescence
- Treatment of calcium and vitamin-C deficiency
- Osteoporosis
- Premenstrual syndrome
- Postmenopausal problems
- Adjuvant in colds and influenza.
Pharmacology
Calcium is used as a pharmacological agent in humans almost entirely to remedy deficiency. Adequate calcium in the blood is so vital to a wide variety of bodily functions that our internal biochemistry will not tolerate a deficiency even for short periods.
Vitamin-C is an essential component of the diet as man can not synthesize vitamin-C. It is a very powerful reducing agent. Vitamin-C plays an important part in the response of the body to stress. It is important in the defense against infection.
Dosage And Administration
Adults and children above 7 years: 1 effervescent tablet daily
Children 3 to 7 years: ½ effervescent tablet daily
Infants: As prescribed by the physician
Dissolve one tablet in half glass (100 ml) of water.
Interaction
Calcium Gluconate: Co-admin of high calcium doses with thiazide diuretics may result in milk-alkali syndrome and hypercalcaemia. May potentiate digoxin toxicity. Decreases effects of calcium channel blockers. Enhanced absorption with calcitriol (a vitamin D metabolite).
Calcium Carbonate: Co-administration with thiazide diuretics or vit D may lead to milk-alkali syndrome and hypercalcaemia. Decreased absorption with corticosteroids. Decreases absorption of tetracyclines, atenolol, iron, quinolones, alendronate, Na fluoride, Zn and calcium-channel blockers. Enhances cardiac effects of digitalis glycosides and may precipitate digitalis intoxication.
Vitamin C: Deferroxamine, hormonal contraceptives, flufenazine, warfarin, elemental iron, salicylates, warfarin, fluphenazine, disulfiram, mexiletine, vitamin B12.
Contraindications
Hypercalcemia (e.g. in hyperparathyroidism, vitamin-D overdosage, decalcifying tumors such as plasmocytoma, bone metastases); severe hypercalciuria; severe renal failure.
Patients with hyperoxalauria, glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency, or iron overload. Larger doses may lead to gastrointestinal tract upset.
Side Effects
In rare cases, mild gastrointestinal disturbances (bloating, diarrhoea) can occur. In predisposed patients prolonged treatment with high doses may promote the formation of calculi in the urinary tract.
Pregnancy And Lactation
Calcium containing drugs have been widely used in pregnancy by way of oral calcium supplementation or antacid therapy. Calcium Carbonate can be safely used inlactating women. Vitamin-C may be taken safely during pregnancy and lactation
Precautions And Warnings
For patients with mild hypercalciuria (exceeding 300 mg = 7.5 mmol/24 hours), with mild or moderate impairment of renal function or with a history of urinary concrements, monitoring of calcium excretion in the urine is required. If necessary, the dosage should be reduced or therapy should be discontinued. High doses of vitamin-D and derivatives should be avoided during treatment with this preparation unless especially indicated.
Since citrate salts have been reported to increase aluminium absorption, this medicine should be used with caution in patients with severely impaired renal function, especially those receiving aluminium-containing preparations. The sugar content should be taken into account by diabetic patients.
Overdose Effects
Acute overdosage has not been reported. It would be expected to cause gastrointestinal disturbances but not to result in hypercalcemia, except in patients treated with a very high dosage of vitamin-D and derivatives.
Therapeutic Class
Specific mineral & vitamin combined preparations
Storage Conditions
Store at a cool and dry place and protected from light and moisture.