Dialysis patients with kidney illness are prescribed calcium acetate to manage high phosphorus levels in their blood (medical treatment to clean the blood when the kidneys are not working properly). A group of drugs termed phosphate binders includes calcium acetate. It holds onto the phosphorus your diet provides and stops your blood stream from absorbing it.

There are three different oral dosage forms of calcium acetate: tablets, liquid solutions, and capsules. It is often taken as prescribed by your doctor with each meal (i.e., three times a day if you eat three meals per day). Take calcium acetate every day at roughly the same time. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. As prescribed, take the calcium acetate supplement. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Do not measure your dose if you are using the solution with a regular spoon. To measure your dose, use the measuring cup that was provided with the medication. If you have any questions regarding how much medication to take or how to use the dosage cup, ask your pharmacist.

Depending on your blood levels of phosphorus, your doctor will likely change your dose, but not more frequently than once every two to three weeks.

For a copy of the manufacturer’s information for the patient, ask your pharmacist or doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before taking calcium acetate,

• If you have an allergy to calcium acetate, any other drugs, or any of the substances in calcium acetate preparations, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Get a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Incorporate any of the following: digoxin (Lanoxin) (Lanoxin). At least two hours before or six hours after taking calcium acetate, use a fluoroquinolone antibiotic like ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin, or moxifloxacin (Avelox). Levothyroxine (Euthyrox, Synthroid, Tirosint) should be taken in addition, at least 4 hours before or 4 hours after calcium acetate. At least an hour before taking calcium acetate, use a tetracycline antibiotic like demeclocycline, doxycycline (Monodox, Oracea, Vibramcyin), minocycline (Dynacin, Minocin, Solodyn), or tetracycline (Achromycin V, in Pylera). Your doctor might need to adjust your medication doses or keep a close eye out for any negative side effects. Telling your doctor about all of your current medications, including those not on this list, is important because many other drugs may also interact with calcium acetate.
• If you use calcium supplements or calcium antacids, let your doctor know (Tums). While taking calcium acetate, avoid consuming calcium-containing supplements or antacids.
• If you have high blood calcium levels, let your doctor know. Most likely, your doctor will advise against using calcium acetate.
• If you have or have ever had any additional medical conditions, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking calcium acetate.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Do not take the missing dose; instead, carry on with your regular mealtime dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

Side effects from calcium acetate are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Reduced appetite
• Itching

Some adverse effects may be severe. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you have any of these symptoms:

• Perplexity, feeling bewildered, feeling lightheaded, or passing out

Further negative effects of calcium acetate could exist. If you experience any strange issues while taking this medicine, contact your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

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

Although many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medications website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Moreover, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Overdose symptoms could include:

• Confusion
• Feeling confused
• Feeling dizzy
• Consciousness is lost

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To determine how your body reacts to calcium acetate, your doctor may request specific lab tests.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.