Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Calcium carbonate may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for
Adcal contains calcium which is essential for healthy bones and teeth. Adcal provides extra calcium to your diet. It is therefore used in conditions where your body's calcium levels need to be increased. Adcal can be prescribed by doctors for certain bone conditions. 2.
• • • • • •
Before you take Adcal Do not take Adcal: If you are allergic to calcium carbonate or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in Section 6). If you have a higher than normal level of calcium in your blood (hypercalcaemia). If you have very high levels of calcium in your urine (severe hypercalciuria). If you have severe kidney failure and are not being treated by renal dialysis. If you have kidney stones. If you have osteoporosis due to long-term immobility.
Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Adcal. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you: • have higher than normal levels of calcium in your urine (mild to moderate hypercalciuria). • have mild to moderate problems with your kidneys. • have previously been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars. • are taking any other medication, even those you may have bought for yourself without prescription. Other medicines and Adcal Tell your doctor if you are taking calcium supplements or antacids for indigestion, digitalis drugs (e.g. Lanoxin), diuretics or corticosteroids.
If you are taking thyroxine, bisphosphonates, iron or fluoride medicines, tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics make sure your doctor knows this. When taking these medicines leave a period of about 4 hours before taking your Adcal tablets. Do not take them at the same time. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines including medicines obtained without a prescription. Adcal with food This medicine should not be taken within 2 hours of eating foods rich in oxalic acid (e.g. spinach and rhubarb), phosphate (e.g. bran), or phytic acid (e.g. whole cereals). Pregnancy and breast-feeding If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. In pregnancy or when breast feeding, Adcal should only be used under medical supervision. Important information about some of the ingredients of Adcal The tablets contain a small amount of sugar and may be harmful to the teeth if used for a prolonged period. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodiumfree'. 3.
What you need to know before you take it
e Adcal 3. How to take Adcal 4. Possible side effects 5. How to store Adcal 6. Contents of the pack and other information 1.
How to take it
Adcal
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Adults, elderly and children – 2 tablets daily, ideally one tablet taken in the morning and one in the evening, just before, during or straight after a meal. Adcal tablets should be chewed. Do not swallow whole. If you take more Adcal than you should – You should only take what your doctor recommends. If you take too many Adcal tablets contact your doctor or pharmacist if you can do so. If not, go to the nearest hospital casualty department immediately, taking the Adcal pack and remaining tablets with you. If you forget to take Adcal – If you forget to take your tablet, take it as soon as possible and continue to take the tablets as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet. If you stop taking Adcal – Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before stopping using Adcal. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Rare side effects (affecting fewer than 1 in 1,000 people) • Constipation, wind, feeling sick, stomach ache, diarrhoea.
If you are on long term treatment your doctor may, from time to time wish to check the level of calcium in your blood and take urine samples to monitor kidney function. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme: Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5. • • • • •
6.
How to store it
Adcal Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package. Keep container in the outer carton. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Adcal contains The active substance is calcium carbonate. Each tablet contains 1500 mg calcium carbonate, (equivalent to 600 mg calcium). • The other ingredients are xylitol (E967), polydextrose, pre-gelatinised starch, sodium saccharin (E954), magnesium stearate, and fruit flavour (containing propylene glycol and maltodextrin). •
What Adcal looks like and contents of the pack The tablets are white, flat faced and circular in shape. Adcal tablets are provided in packs of 100 tablets. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Grünenthal Ltd TOR Building Saint Cloud Way Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 8BN United Kingdom Manufacturer: Biokirch GmbH 21220 Seevetal Germany Additional information If you have been prescribed Adcal Chewable Tablets for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis and would like further information you should speak to your doctor or pharmacist. This leaflet was last revised in 05/2024
Frequently asked questions about Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets
How do I take Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets?
Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets comes as tablet containing 1500mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets?
The active substance in Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets is calcium carbonate.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: calcium carbonate
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Adcal is a chewable tablet recommended as a supplementary source of calcium when normal requirements are high and in the correction of calcium deficiency in the diet. They can be used in osteoporosis therapy as an adjunct to more specific conventional treatments. Adcal chewable tablets can be used as a phosphate binding agent in the management of renal failure.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Oral.
Adults, elderly and children
Dietary deficiency and as an adjunct in osteoporosis therapy; 2 chewable tablets per day, preferably one tablet each morning and evening.
For use in binding phosphate in the management of renal failure in patients on renal dialysis, the dose should be adjusted for the individual patient and is dependent on the serum phosphate level.
The tablets should be chewed, not swallowed whole and taken just prior to, during or immediately following a meal.
4.3. Contraindications
Absolute contra-indications are hypercalcaemia resulting for example from myeloma, bone metastases or other malignant bone disease, sarcoidosis; primary hyperparathyroidism and vitamin D overdosage. Severe renal failure untreated by renal dialysis. Hypersensitivity to any of the tablet ingredients.
Relative contra-indications are osteoporosis due to prolonged immobilisation, renal stones, severe hypercalciuria.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
Patients with mild to moderate renal failure or mild hypercalciuria should be supervised carefully. Periodic checks of plasma calcium levels and urinary calcium excretion should be made in patients with mild to moderate renal failure or mild hypercalciuria.
Urinary calcium excretion should also be measured. In patients with a history of renal stones urinary calcium excretion should be measured to exclude hypercalciuria.
With long-term treatment it is advisable to monitor serum and urinary calcium levels and kidney function, and reduce or stop treatment temporarily if urinary calcium exceeds 7.5mmol/24 hours.
Allowances should be made for calcium and vitamin D supplements from other sources.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium-free'.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
The risk of hypercalcaemia should be considered in patients taking thiazide diuretics since these drugs can reduce urinary calcium excretion. Hypercalcaemia must be avoided in digitalised patients.
The effects of digitalis and other cardiac glycosides may be accentuated with the oral administration of calcium combined with Vitamin D. Strict medical supervision is needed and, if necessary monitoring of ECG and calcium.
Certain foods (e.g. those containing oxalic acid, phosphate or phytinic acid) may reduce the absorption of calcium
Calcium salts may reduce the absorption of thyroxine, bisphosphonates, sodium fluoride, quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics or iron. It is advisable to allow a minimum period of four hours before taking the calcium.
Calcium absorption is reduced in patients receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy. This should be taken in to account when patients are receiving concomitant therapy.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
During pregnancy and lactation treatment with Adcal should be under the direction of a physician. During pregnancy and lactation, requirements for calcium are increased but in deciding on the required supplementation allowances should be made for availability of these agents from other sources. If Adcal and iron supplements are both required to be administered to the patient, they should be taken at different times (see Section 4.5).
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
None known
4.8. Undesirable effects
The use of calcium supplements has, rarely, given rise to mild gastro-intestinal disturbances, such as constipation, flatulence, nausea, gastric pain, diarrhoea.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme.
Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store
4.9. Overdose
Overdosage may cause gastro-intestinal disturbances but would not be expected to cause hypercalcaemia except in patients treated with excessive doses of vitamin D. Treatment should be aimed at lowering serum calcium levels through a high fluid intake and low calcium diet. In severe cases treatments with corticosteroid and other specialist treatment may be necessary. Alkalosis is a potential but rare risk.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.
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