Calcium is a mineral that is needed for many functions of the 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 acetate is used to control phosphate levels to keep them from getting too high in people with kidney failure who are on dialysis.

Calcium acetate may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use calcium acetate if you have high levels of calcium in your blood.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Take the capsule with food.

You may need to keep a food diary to measure how much calcium you are getting in your diet.

You may need frequent medical tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if calcium acetate is effective.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Usual Adult Dose for Hyperphosphatemia:

Initial dose: 1334 mg (2 tablets/capsules, or 10 mL), orally, with each meal
Maintenance dose: 2001 to 2668 mg (3 to 4 tablets/capsules, or 15 to 20 mL) with each meal

Comments:
-Titrate dose every 2 to 3 weeks until an acceptable serum phosphorous level is reached.

Use: Reduce serum phosphorous levels in patients with end stage renal disease.

You should not use calcium acetate if you are allergic to it, or if you have high levels of calcium in your blood.

Tell your doctor if:

• your kidney disease gets worse; or

• you also take digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether calcium acetate will harm an unborn baby, but having kidney failure or developing hypercalcemia during pregnancy may cause complications in the baby and the mother. The benefit of using calcium acetate during pregnancy may outweigh any risks..

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Calcium acetate is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Do not take additional calcium supplements unless your doctor has told you to.

Ask your doctor before using an antacid, and use only the type your doctor recommends. Some antacids contain calcium.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Calcium acetate may cause serious side effects. Stop using calcium acetate and call your doctor at once if you have:

• high levels of calcium in your blood--nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, confusion, lack of energy, or tired feeling.

Common side effects of calcium acetate may include:

• increased calcium in the blood

• nausea; or

• diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

If you take any of the following medicines, take them separately from your dose of calcium acetate:

• A fluoroquinolone antibiotic: Take your calcium acetate dose 6 hours before or 2 hours after you take an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, Cipro, or Levaquin.

• A tetracycline antibiotic: Take your calcium acetate dose 1 hour before or 1 hour after you take an antibiotic such as doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, Doryx, or Oracea.

• Thyroid medication: Take your calcium acetate dose 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take the thyroid medicine.

Other drugs may affect calcium acetate, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to calcium acetate.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.