Pronunciation:

KAL-see-um AS-e-tate

Brand Names:

• Eliphos
• PhosLo

Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Capsule

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Calcium Supplement

Uses of This Medicine:

Calcium acetate is used to treat hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphate in the blood) in patients with kidney disease.

Calcium acetate works by binding with the phosphate in the food you eat, so that it is eliminated from the body without being absorbed.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients and there is no specific information comparing use of calcium acetate in children with use in other age groups.

Older adults—

Many medicines have not been studied specifically in older people. Therefore, it may not be known whether they work exactly the same way they do in younger adults or if they cause different side effects or problems in older people. There is no specific information comparing use of calcium acetate in elderly patients with use in other adults.

Pregnancy—

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Digoxin
• Eltrombopag

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Chlortetracycline
• Ciprofloxacin
• Dasatinib
• Demeclocycline
• Doxycycline
• Enoxacin
• Grepafloxacin
• Itraconazole
• Levofloxacin
• Lomefloxacin
• Methacycline
• Minocycline
• Norfloxacin
• Oxytetracycline
• Pefloxacin
• Potassium Phosphate
• Potassium Phosphate, Dibasic
• Potassium Phosphate, Monobasic
• Rolitetracycline
• Sodium Phosphate
• Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
• Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
• Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate
• Sparfloxacin
• Tetracycline
• Ticlopidine
• Zalcitabine

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood)—Calcium acetate may make this condition worse

Proper Use of This Medicine:

Take this medicine with meals.

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For too much phosphate in the blood:
    • Adults—2 tablets three times a day with meals. Your doctor may increase the dose if necessary.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few months of treatment with this medicine, since your dose may have to be adjusted. This is to make sure that this medicine is working properly and does not cause unwanted effects.

Do not take other calcium-containing products including dietary supplements and antacids. Your doctor may adjust the amount of calcium-containing foods you eat.Taking too much calcium while you are taking this medicine can cause hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood).

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare—Signs of severe hypercalcemia

Confusion

full or partial loss of consciousness

incoherent speech

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare—Signs of mild hypercalcemia

Constipation

loss of appetite

nausea or vomiting

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Itching

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.