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.
Calcichew 500mg 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
Calcichew 500 mg Chewable Tablets are orange flavoured chewable tablets containing the active ingredient calcium. Calcium is found in the diet and is an important substance in bone formation. Calcichew 500 mg is used to treat and prevent calcium deficiency which may occur if your diet or lifestyle does not provide enough, or when body requirements are increased. This medicine may also be prescribed or recommended for certain bone conditions, for example osteoporosis, or during pregnancy. It may also be given to patients receiving kidney dialysis to remove the phosphate from the blood that cannot be removed by dialysis. 2.
What you need to know before you take it
e Calcichew 500 mg
Do not take Calcichew 500 mg Chewable Tablets if you:
- are allergic (hypersensitive) to calcium or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
- have a condition that causes excessive amounts of calcium in your blood or urine (hypercalcaemia or hypercalciuria)
- have kidney stones. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Calcichew 500 mg:
- if you have osteoporosis (brittle bones) and are also unable to move around
- if you are on long term treatment, especially if you are taking medicines for a heart disorder (cardiac glycosides), or diuretics (used in the treatment of high blood pressure or oedema)
- if you have signs of impaired kidney function or a high tendency to kidney stone (calculus) formation
- if you have cancer or any other conditions that may have affected your bones. Your serum calcium or phosphate levels, or urinary calcium excretion must be monitored if you have any of the following conditions.
- kidney problems
- you are on long-term treatment with Calcichew
•
you are already taking additional doses of calcium
If you have increased calcium levels in the blood or develop signs of kidney problems, the dose of Calcichew 500 mg should be reduced or the treatment discontinued. Other medicines and Calcichew 500 mg Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. In particular, the following medicines may interact with Calcichew 500 mg tablets:
- thiazide diuretics (water tablets); your serum calcium levels should be monitored regularly.
- cardiac glycosides (heart medicines); you should be monitored by electrocardiogram (ECG) and your serum calcium levels measured.
- tetracycline antibiotics; these should be taken at least two hours before, or four to six hours afterwards. Calcium carbonate may interfere with the absorption of tetracycline preparations if taken at the same time.
- levothyroxine (hormone used to treat thyroid deficiency); these should be taken at least four hours before, or after taking Calcichew 500 mg.
- Quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, sparfloxacin); the effect of these medicines may be reduced if taken at the same time as calcium. Take quinolone antibiotics two hours before or six hours after taking Calcichew 500 mg.
- Bisphosphonates should be taken at least one hour before Calcichew 500 mg.
- Calcium salts may decrease the absorption of iron, zinc and strontium ranelate. Consequently iron, zinc or strontium ranelate preparations should be taken at least two hours before or after Calcichew 500 mg. If you are taking any of the above-mentioned medicines, your doctor will give you further instructions. Taking Calcichew 500 mg with food and drink For treatment of calcium deficiency or use as an additional osteoporosis therapy, Calcichew 500 mg can be taken with or without food and drink.
For use as a phosphate binder, Calcichew 500 mg should be taken just before, during or just after each meal. Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility 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 Calcichew 500 mg. During pregnancy the daily intake should not exceed 2500 mg calcium (including food and supplementation). If you are pregnant, you may use Calcichew 500 mg in case of a calcium deficiency. Calcichew 500 mg can be used during breastfeeding. Calcium passes into breast milk. Driving and using machines Calcichew 500 mg has no known influence on the ability to drive or use machines. Calcichew 500 mg contains isomalt Calcichew 500 mg contains isomalt (E953): if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. May be harmful to teeth. 3.
How to take it
Calcichew 500 mg
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Dosage: The recommended dose is: For use as an additional osteoporosis therapy: One tablet 2 or 3 times a day. For calcium deficiency: One tablet 2 or 3 times a day. As a phosphate binder (for kidney failure patients on dialysis): Your doctor will decide how many Calcichew 500 mg Chewable Tablets you need. The label the pharmacist puts on your medicine will tell you exactly how many tablets to take. Use in children The recommended dose for children is one tablet 2 or 3 times a day. The tablets can be chewed or sucked. If you take more than you should If you have taken more Calcichew 500 mg than you should, talk to your doctor or pharmacist immediately. If you accidentally take more Calcichew 500 mg than you should, you may have an increase in your blood calcium levels. Symptoms of this are: excessive thirst, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, tiredness, mental disturbances, lack of appetite, bone pain, having to pass more water than usual, kidney problems and, in severe cases, irregular heartbeat. Very rarely in addition: irritability, continuing headache, lightheadedness, muscle spasms, twitches and tingling sensation. If you forget to take Calcichew 500 mg Chewable Tablets Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet. 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. Stop taking your medicine and see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects. These side effects may be a sign of milk-alkali syndrome (also called Burnett's Syndrome) that is reported to occur very rarely (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people):
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Headache
- Loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting
- Unusual tiredness or weakness, along with elevated levels of calcium in the blood and kidney impairment.
Possible side effects
may include: Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people):
- excessive amounts of calcium in your blood (hypercalcaemia) or in your urine (hypercalcuria) may occur with large doses Rare side effects (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people):
- nausea
- stomach ache
- constipation
• • •
diarrhoea wind (flatulence) heartburn (dyspepsia)
Very rare side effects (may affect less than 1 in 10,000 people):
- rash
- hives
- itching If you are taking Calcichew 500 mg Chewable Tablets because you are having kidney dialysis, tell your doctor if you notice any white deposits on your skin. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www. yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk/. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine. 5.
How to store it
Calcichew 500mg
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children. Store in the original package to protect from moisture. Do not store above 30°C. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the label after EXP. 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 to protect the environment. 6.
Contents of the pack and other information
What Calcichew 500 mg Chewable Tablets contain The active ingredient in each tablet is1250 mg calcium carbonate (equivalent to 500 mg calcium). The other ingredients are:xylitol (E967), povidone, isomalt (E953), fatty acid mono- and di-glycerides, magnesium stearate, orange flavour, and sucralose (E955) (see also end of Section 2 "Calcichew 500 mg contains isomalt"). What Calcichew 500 mg look like and contents of the pack The tablets are round, white, uncoated convex and orange flavoured; they may have small specks. The tablets are packed in white, plastic bottles of 100 tablets. Marketing Authorisation Holder Neon Healthcare Ltd., 8 The Chase, John Tate Road, Hertford, SG13 7NN, UK Manufacturer Asker Contract Manufacturing AS, Drammensveien 852, NO-1383 Asker, Norway. This leaflet was last revised in June 2024. Additional Information Calcichew 500 mg contains calcium designed to keep bones healthy. Calcium is an essential component of bones.
Requirements for calcium increase with age and, although many people obtain enough calcium from their diet, some people may require a supplement in order that their body has all the calcium it needs to maintain healthy bones. People with diets and lifestyles that mean they will obtain less than the recommended intake of calcium are at risk of weakened bones. Prolonged lack of adequate calcium intake can lead to the development of osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak to a level that minimal trauma (for example, a fall) can result in a fracture, most typically at the hip, spine or wrist. Calcichew 500 mg have been designed to give people, whose intake of calcium is low, a boost to the recommended amounts. Maintaining healthy bones and helping to avoid osteoporosis is an important issue for many people. There are many ways that people can help themselves: regular exercise, a balanced diet with an adequate intake of calcium and, for some people, advice on how to prevent falls which may lead to fracture. The National Osteoporosis Society (NOS) is a national charity dedicated to improving the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. The NOS offers support to people with osteoporosis and raises awareness of the importance of healthy bones. If you are concerned about osteoporosis, please contact the National Osteoporosis Society, Camerton, Bath BA2 0PJ. Tel: 01761 471 771, Fax: 01761 471 104 or email: [email protected]. *Registered Trademark
Frequently asked questions about Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets
How do I take Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets?
Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets comes as tablet containing 500mg. 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 Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets?
The active substance in Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets is calcium carbonate.
Are there equivalent medicines to Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Boots Indigestion Relief Orange Flavour 500mg Tablets, Calcium Carbonate 500 mg Chewable Tablets, Calcium Carbonate 500mg Chewable Tablets (PL 43461/0190). They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Calcichew 500mg 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 Calcichew 500mg 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
Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets are to be chewed as a supplemental source of calcium in the correction of dietary deficiencies or when normal requirements are high.
Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets may be used as an adjunct to conventional therapy in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. They may be used as a phosphate binding agent in the management of renal failure in patients on renal dialysis.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults:
Adjunctive therapy in osteoporosis
2 to 3 tablets daily.
Prevention and treatment of calcium deficiency
2 to 3 tablets daily.
Phosphate binder:
Dose as required by the individual patient depending on serum phosphate level.
Special patient populations
Elderly patients:
Dosage as for adults.
Paediatric patients:
Prevention and treatment of calcium deficiency
2 to 3 tablets daily.
Phosphate Binder:
Dose as required by the individual patient depending on serum phosphate level.
Impaired renal function:
In patients with severe renal failure having a creatinine clearance of less than 30 ml/minute, dosage adjustments may be necessary dependent on serum calcium levels. See section 4.4.
Impaired hepatic function:
No dose adjustment is required.
Method of administration
Oral.
Tablets may be chewed or sucked.
For phosphate binding, the tablets should be taken just before, during or just after each meal in order to bind phosphate in the food.
4.3. Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
• Diseases and/or conditions resulting in hypercalcaemia and/or hypercalciuria, for example in hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D overdosage, decalcifying tumours such as plasmacytoma and skeletal metastases, in severe renal failure untreated by renal dialysis and in osteoporosis due to immobilisation.
• Renal calculi (nephrolithiasis)
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
In renal insufficiency the tablets should be given only under controlled conditions for hyperphosphataemia. Caution should be exercised in patients with a history of renal calculi.
Monitoring is especially important in patients on concomitant treatment with cardiac glycosides or diuretics (see section 4.5).
During high dose therapy and especially during concomitant treatment with vitamin D and/or medications or nutrients (such as milk) containing calcium, there is a risk of hypercalcaemia and milk-alkali syndrome (hypercalcaemia, alkalosis and renal impairment) with subsequent kidney function impairment. In these patients, serum calcium levels should be monitored and renal function should be monitored.
Calcichew 500 mg Chewable Tablets contain isomalt (E953). Patients with rare hereditary problems of fructose intolerance should not take this medicine.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Thiazide diuretics reduce the urinary excretion of calcium. Due to increased risk of hypercalcaemia, serum calcium should be regularly monitored during concomitant use of thiazide diuretics.
Calcium carbonate may interfere with the absorption of concomitantly administered tetracycline preparations. For this reason, tetracycline preparations should be administered at least two hours before, or four to six hours after, oral intake of calcium.
Hypercalcaemia may increase the toxicity of cardiac glycosides during treatment with calcium. Patients should be monitored with regard to electrocardiogram (ECG) and serum calcium levels.
If a bisphosphonate is used concomitantly, this preparation should be administered at least three hours before the intake of Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets since gastrointestinal absorption may be reduced.
The efficacy of levothyroxine can be reduced by the concurrent use of calcium, due to decreased levothyroxine absorption. Administration of calcium and levothyroxine should be separated by at least four hours.
The absorption of quinolone antibiotics may be impaired if administered concomitantly with calcium. Quinolone antibiotics should be taken two hours before or after intake of calcium.
Calcium salts may decrease the absorption of iron, zinc and strontium ranelate. Consequently, iron, zinc or strontium ranelate preparations should be taken two hours before or after calcium carbonate.
4.6. Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
Calcichew 500mg Chewable Tablets can be used during pregnancy. Daily intake should not exceed 2500 mg of calcium as permanent hypercalcaemia has been related to adverse effects on the developing foetus.
Breastfeeding
Calcium carbonate can be used during breast-feeding. Calcium passes into breast milk but at therapeutic doses no effects on the breastfed new-born are anticipated.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
Calcium carbonate has no known influence on ability to drive and use machines.
4.8. Undesirable effects
Adverse reactions are listed below, by system organ class and frequency. Frequencies are defined as: uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100); rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000) or very rare (<1/10,000).
Metabolism and nutrition disorders
Uncommon: Hypercalcaemia and hypercalciuria.
Very rare: Milk-alkali syndrome (frequent urge to urinate; continuing headache; continuing loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting; unusual tiredness or weakness; hypercalcaemia, alkalosis and renal impairment). Seen usually only in overdose (see section 4.9).
Gastrointestinal disorders
Rare: Constipation, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
Skin and subcutaneous disorders
Very rare: Pruritus, rash and urticaria.
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 at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
4.9. Overdose
Overdose can lead to hypercalcaemia. Symptoms of hypercalcaemia may include anorexia, thirst, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, mental disturbances, polydipsia, polyuria, bone pain, nephrocalcinosis, nephrolithiasis and in severe cases, cardiac arrhythmias. Extreme hypercalcaemia may result in coma and death. Persistently high calcium levels may lead to irreversible renal damage and soft tissue calcification.
Milk-alkali syndrome may still occur in patients who ingest large amounts of calcium and absorbable alkali. It is not uncommon as a cause of hypercalcaemia requiring hospitalisation. The syndrome has also been reported in a patient taking recommended doses of antacids containing calcium carbonate for chronic epigastric discomfort, and in a pregnant woman taking high, but not grossly excessive, doses of calcium (about 3 g of elemental calcium daily). Metastatic calcification can develop.
Treatment of hypercalcaemia: The treatment with calcium must be discontinued. Treatment with thiazide diuretics, lithium, vitamin A, vitamin D and cardiac glycosides must also be discontinued. Treatment: rehydration, and, according to severity of hypercalcaemia, isolated or combined treatment with loop diuretics, bisphosphonates, calcitonin and corticosteroids should be considered. Serum electrolytes, renal function and diuresis must be monitored. In severe cases, ECG and CVP should be followed.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Calcichew 500mg 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.
Medicines containing Calcium carbonate
- Adcal 1500mg chewable tablets
- Calcichew Forte Chewable Tablets
- Calcium Carbonate 500 mg Chewable Tablets
- Calcium Carbonate 500mg Chewable Tablets (PL 43461/0190)
- Rennie Gum 750mg Medicated Chewing Gum
- Rennie Orange Flavour
- Setlers Antacid Chewable Tablets Peppermint Flavour
- Setlers Antacid Chewable Tablets Spearmint Flavour