Calci-Chew Side Effects

Generic name: calcium carbonate

Note: This document contains side effect information about calcium carbonate. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Calci-Chew.

Some side effects of Calci-Chew may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to calcium carbonate: oral capsule, oral powder, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking calcium carbonate (the active ingredient contained in Calci-Chew) hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Less serious side effects of calcium carbonate may include:

• nausea or vomiting;

• decreased appetite;

• constipation;

• dry mouth or increased thirst; or

• urinating more than usual.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to calcium carbonate: compounding powder, oral capsule, oral gum, oral powder, oral suspension, oral tablet, oral tablet chewable

Gastrointestinal

Rebound hyperacidity has been associated with calcium salt antacids. This side effect does not appear to be due to the acid buffering capacity of calcium carbonate (the active ingredient contained in Calci-Chew) but is a consequence of a specific action of calcium on the parietal cell.

Rare cases of calcium carbonate gallstones have been reported in the pediatric literature.

Gastrointestinal side effects have included rebound hyperacidity, constipation (6% to 37%) and gallstones (rarely).

Metabolic

Prolonged ingestion of large amounts of calcium carbonate (the active ingredient contained in Calci-Chew) and other sources of exogenous calcium can rarely result in the "milk alkali syndrome" and calcinosis. The milk alkali syndrome is characterized by the triad of hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and renal insufficiency.

Metabolic side effects have rarely included hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia. Hypercalcemia may be more likely and more severe in patients with renal dysfunction. In patients on chronic dialysis, hypercalcemia may also result from excessive calcium in the dialysate, vitamin D intoxication, or severe secondary hyperparathyroidism. Other metabolic side effects have rarely included "mild alkali syndrome", calcinosis, and irreversible renal damage.

Renal

Renal side effects have included renal failure, formation of renal calcium and a single case report of a calcium carbonate (the active ingredient contained in Calci-Chew) and calcium phosphate-filled renal cyst.

The renal failure that accompanies hypercalcemia and alkalosis in the milk alkali syndrome is usually transient.

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