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What is the most important information I should know about calcium citrate?

Do not take calcium citrate or antacids containing calcium without first talking to your doctor if you take other medications. Calcium can decrease the effects of many other medicines by binding to them or by changing the acidity of the stomach or the urine. Take calcium with meals to increase its absorption by the body.

What is calcium citrate?

Calcium is a mineral that is found naturally in foods. Calcium is necessary for many normal functions of your body, especially bone formation and maintenance. Calcium can also bind to other minerals (such as phosphate) and aid in their removal from the body.

Calcium citrate is used to prevent and to treat calcium deficiencies.

Calcium citrate may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take calcium citrate?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

• have had kidney stones;

• have parathyroid gland disease;

• take antacids or other calcium supplements; or

• take a tetracycline antibiotic such as tetracycline (Sumycin, Achromycin V, and others), demeclocycline (Declomycin), doxycycline (Vibramycin, Monodox, Doxy, and others), minocycline (Minocin, Dynacin, and others), or oxytetracycline (Terramycin, and others).

You may not be able to take calcium citrate, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions, or take any of the medications, listed above.

Talk to your doctor before taking calcium citrate if you are pregnant. In general, calcium is important for the development of an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor before taking calcium citrate if you are breast-feeding. Calcium is important for the development of a breast-feeding baby.

How should I take calcium citrate?

Take calcium citrate exactly as directed by your doctor or follow the directions on the package. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Swallow the calcium citrate tablets with a full glass of water.

Allow the effervescent tablets to dissolve completely in the amount of water directed on the package. Drink the full amount of the mixture once it has dissolved.

Take calcium with meals to increase its absorption by the body, unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Store calcium citrate at room temperature away from moisture and heat.