Acetate

What condition does Calcium Acetate treat?

Calcium Acetate is an oral medicine used in patients who are on dialysis because of severe kidney disease to prevent high blood phosphate levels. Lessening blood phosphate levels can help keep your bones strong. It prevents an unsafe build-up of minerals in your body. It also possibly decreases the risk of strokes and heart disease that can result from high phosphate levels. Dialysis eliminates certain phosphate from your blood but it is hard to eliminate sufficient to keep your phosphate levels stable.

This medicine acts as a phosphate binder. This is available as tablets for oral use. In the year 1990, this medication was originally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

How does Calcium Acetate work?

Calcium is a mineral that is needed for many functions of the body mainly bone maintenance and formation. Calcium can also aid in its removal from the body and bind to other minerals such as phosphate.

Calcium Acetate is used to control phosphate levels to retain them from being too high in people with kidney failure. It is a natural mineral that works by holding onto phosphate from the diet so it could pass out from your body.

What is the recommended dosage for Calcium Acetate?

The recommended initial dose of this medication is two tablets with a meal. Each medicine is to be taken by mouth. Take it exactly as it is directed. Do not increase your dose or take it more frequently than recommended. Doing so may increase your risk of side effects.

Remember to take it with each meal every day or on the schedule given to you by your doctor. If you missed a dose, take it right away if you remember. If you often missed a dose, call your doctor. Do not take two doses to make up for the missed one.

What are the side effects of Calcium Acetate?

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • High blood calcium (Hypercalcemia)
  • Weakness
  • Headache
  • Confusion

What are the precautions in taking Calcium Acetate?

  • Before using this drug, tell your doctor if you are allergic to it or if you have any other allergies.
  • Tell also your doctor if you have any medical history or current medications/treatment.
  • This should not be used if you have a certain medical condition. Consult your doctor if you have a high blood calcium level (Hypercalcemia).
  • This medication should be used only when needed for pregnant women. This also passes into breast milk, but consult your doctor first before taking this medicine.
  • Tell your doctor if you are taking calcium antacids or calcium supplements. Do not take supplements or antacids containing calcium while taking this medication.
  • If you have any dietary plan, continue it unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
  • Do not give this medication to a child without medical advice.
  • Avoid using antacids without consulting your doctor. Use only the specific type of antacid your doctor recommends. Lots of antacids have calcium and you could be getting too much of this mineral if you take calcium antacid with this medicine.