Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
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, Colecalciferol; cholecalciferol may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
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Adcal-D3 Caplets contain calcium and vitamin D3 which are both essential for healthy bones and teeth. Adcal-D3 Caplets provide extra calcium and vitamin D3 to your diet. Adcal-D3 is used for the prevention and treatment of low calcium and vitamin D3. You are more likely to be at risk of low calcium and vitamin D3 if you: –
are over 65 years old are female are housebound have been diagnosed with osteoporosis have a family history of osteoporosis
Studies show that taking calcium and vitamin D3 over a long time can prevent hip and other nonvertebral bone fractures in later life. 2.
e Adcal-D3 Caplets
Do not take Adcal-D3 Caplets : • if you are allergic to calcium carbonate, vitamin D3 or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). • if you have measured high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcaemia). Your doctor will be able to tell you if you do. • If you have severe kidney failure Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Adcal-D3 Capletsif you:
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Have been previously diagnosed with osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) due to long periods of inactivity, such as long-term bed rest. Have problems with your kidneys, for example a history of kidney stones. Signs of kidney stones include: pain in abdomen or groin, high temperature, feeling sweaty, nausea, vomiting, blood in urine or urine infection. Have measured high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcaemia) or measured high levels of calcium in your urine (hypercalciuria). Signs of hypercalcaemia include: abdominal pain, excessive thirst and urination, nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, constipation. Have been told you have sarcoidosis (inflammation that produces lumps of cells in various organs in the body). Typically, signs of sarcoidosis include: tender, red bumps on skin, shortness of breath or a persistant cough. Have previously been told that you have an intolerance to some sugars. Are taking any other medication, even those you may have bought for yourself without prescription.
If you are concerned that you may have any of the health conditions listed above, make an appointment with your doctor. Other medicines and Adcal-D3 Caplets Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking calcium supplements or antacids for indigestion, digitalis drugs (e.g. Lanoxin), diuretics or corticosteroids. If you are taking thyroxine, bisphosphonates, zinc, strontium ranelate and iron or fluoride medicines, tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows this. When taking these medicines leave a period of about 4 hours before taking your Adcal-D3 Caplets. Do not take any of these listed medicines at the same time as your Adcal-D3 Caplets. Tell your doctor if you are taking orlistat as this may reduce absorption of vitamin D. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding In pregnancy or when breast feeding, Adcal-D3 Caplets should only be used under medical supervision. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. Adcal-D3 Caplets 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). Adcal-D3 Caplets contain sucrose and sodium If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product. This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, this is to say essentially 'sodiumfree'. 3.
Adcal-D3 Caplets
Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Adults, elderly and children over 12 years of age – Swallow 2 caplets twice daily, ideally two caplets in the morning and two in the evening. Children under 12 – Do not give Adcal-D3 Caplets to children under 12 years.
If you take more Adcal-D3 Caplets than you should – If you take too many caplets contact your doctor or pharmacist if you can do so. If not, go to the nearest hospital casualty department immediately, taking the pack and remaining tablets with you. Signs of overdose may include frequent urge to urinate, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, unusual tiredness or weakness, along with high levels of calcium in the blood and kidney impairment. If you forget to take Adcal-D3 Caplets – If you forget to take your caplets, take them as soon as possible and then continue to take them as normal. Do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten caplets. If you stop taking Adcal-D3 Caplets – Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you stop taking the caplets. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist. 4.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Frequency not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data): • Allergic reactions – symptoms include itching, wheezing, rash, swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat. If you have an allergic reaction stop taking the tablets and seek medical attention immediately. Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people): • Constipation, wind, feeling sick, stomach ache, diarrhoea • Skin rash • Hypercalcaemia (too much calcium in your blood) or hypercalciuria (too much calcium in your urine) If you take this medicine for a long time talk to your doctor, as they may wish to test the levels of calcium in your blood and urine. 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. • • • •
Adcal-D3 Caplets Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children. Do not store above 25oC. Store in the original package. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date that is printed on the carton label has passed. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
6.
Contents of the pack and further information
What Adcal-D3 Caplets contain • Each caplet contains the active substances calcium carbonate (750 mg equivalent to 300 mg of elemental calcium) and vitamin D3 (200 I.U. equivalent to 5 micrograms of colecalciferol). • The other ingredients in the tablet core are colloidal silicon dioxide, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, modified food starch, sucrose, sodium ascorbate, medium chain triglycerides, silicon dioxide, DL-alpha-tocopherol and pregelatinized starch. • The orange film-coat contains hypromellose, polydextrose, acacia, talc, titanium dioxide, iron oxide yellow and iron oxide red. What Adcal-D3 Caplets look like and contents of the pack Adcal-D3 Caplets are orange capsule-shaped film-coated tablets ('caplets') provided in bottles of 112 or 224 tablets. Not all pack sizes may be marketed. Marketing Authorisation Holder: Grünenthal Ltd TOR Building Saint Cloud Way Maidenhead Berkshire SL6 8BN United Kingdom
Manufacturer: NextPharma allphamed Pharbil Arzneimittel GmbH Hildebrandstrasse 12 D-37081 Göttingen Germany
Additional information If you have been prescribed Adcal-D3 Caplets 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 11/2025
Adcal-D3 Caplets, 750 mg/200 I.U comes as tablet containing 750mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
The active substance in Adcal-D3 Caplets, 750 mg/200 I.U is calcium carbonate, colecalciferol; cholecalciferol.
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Adcal-D3 Caplets, 750 mg/200 I.U, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
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.
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
As an adjunct to specific therapy for osteoporosis and in situations requiring therapeutic supplementation of malnutrition e.g. in pregnancy and established vitamin D dependent osteomalacia.
The prevention and treatment of calcium deficiency/vitamin D deficiency especially in the housebound and institutionalised elderly subjects. Deficiency of the active moieties is indicated by raised levels of PTH, lowered 25-hydroxy vitamin D and raised alkaline phosphatase levels which are associated with increased bone loss.
Oral.
Adults and Elderly and children above 12 years of age:
Two tablets to be taken twice a day, preferably two tablets each morning and two tablets each evening.
Children:
Not recommended for children under 12 years.
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. Hypersensitivity to any of the tablet ingredients.
Relative contra-indications are osteoporosis due to prolonged immobilisation, renal stones, severe hypercalciuria.
Patients with mild to moderate renal failure or mild hypercalciuria should be supervised carefully including periodic checks of plasma calcium levels and urinary calcium excretion.
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 7.5 mmol/24 hours (300 mg/24 hours).
During concomitant treatment with other high-dose sources of vitamin D and/or medications affecting serum calcium levels or absorption, or nutrients containing calcium (see section 4.5), there is a risk of hypercalcaemia and milk-alkali syndrome (See section 4.9). In these patients, serum calcium levels and renal function should be monitored.
Caution is required in patients receiving treatment for cardiovascular disease (see Section 4.5 – thiazide diuretics and cardiac glycosides including digitalis).
Adcal-D3 Caplets should also be used with caution in other patients with increased risk of hypercalcaemia e.g. patients with sarcoidosis or those suffering from malignancies.
This product contains small quantities of sucrose.
Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption or sucrase-isomaltase insufficiency should not take this medicine.
Allowances should be made for calcium and vitamin D supplements from other sources.
Adcal-D3 Caplets should be used cautiously in immobilised patients with osteoporosis due to increased risk of hypercalcaemia.
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.
Certain foods (e.g. those containing oxalic acid, phosphate or phytic acid) may reduce the absorption of calcium.
Concomitant treatment with phenytoin or barbiturates can decrease the effect of vitamin D because of metabolic activation. Concomitant use of glucocorticoids can decrease the effect of vitamin D.
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.
Calcium salts may reduce the absorption of thyroxine, bisphosphonates, sodium fluoride, quinolone or tetracycline antibiotics, zinc, strontium ranelate and iron. It is advisable to allow a minimum period of four hours before taking calcium.
Concomitant treatment with orlistat may reduce absorption of vitamin D.
During pregnancy and lactation, treatment with Adcal-D3 Caplets should always be under the direction of a physician. Requirements for calcium and vitamin D are increased during pregnancy and lactation, but, in deciding on the required supplementation, allowances should be made for availability of these agents from other sources. If the patient requires administration of both Adcal-D3 Caplets and iron supplements, they should be taken at different times (see Section 4.5).
Overdoses of vitamin D have shown teratogenic effects in pregnant animals. However, there have been no studies on the use of this medicinal product in human pregnancy and lactation. In humans, long term hypercalcaemia can lead to physical and mental retardation, aortic stenosis and retinopathy in a new born child. Vitamin D and its metabolites pass into the breast milk.
None known.
Hypersensitivity reactions including pruritus, wheezing, urticaria, oropharyngeal swelling and angioedema have been reported in the post-marketing environment.
The use of calcium supplements has, rarely, given rise to mild gastro-intestinal disturbances, such as constipation, flatulence, nausea, gastric pain or diarrhoea. Following administration of vitamin D supplements occasional skin rash has been reported. Hypercalciuria, and in rare cases hypercalcaemia, have been seen with long term treatment at high dosages.
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
The most serious consequence of acute or chronic overdose is hypercalcaemia due to vitamin D toxicity. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, polyuria, anorexia, weakness, apathy, thirst and constipation. Chronic overdoses can lead to vascular and organ calcification as a result of hypercalcaemia. Treatment should consist of stopping all intake of calcium and vitamin D and rehydration.
Milk-alkali syndrome may occur in patients who ingest large amounts of calcium.
Medicines sold in Romania with the same active substance: Cunoscut în România ca
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Calcium carbonate, Colecalciferol; cholecalciferol. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Romanian medicines in the UK →
Medicines sold in Poland with the same active substance: W Polsce znany jako
⚠ Not the same combination. This medicine contains Calcium carbonate, Colecalciferol; cholecalciferol. The products below do not contain exactly the same set of active substances — they are not direct substitutes.
⚠ Same active substance, but a different pharmaceutical form (for example a gel instead of a tablet). Not interchangeable — ask a pharmacist.
Some of these do not contain exactly the same active substances — check each one. The strength, the form and whether you need a prescription can differ. Always ask a pharmacist before you switch. Polish medicines in the UK →
Ask anything about Adcal-D3 Caplets, 750 mg/200 I.U. 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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