CALCIUM SANDOZ

CALCIUM SANDOZ forte effervescent tablets

Important information (mandatory details)

CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg Effervescent Tablets. Indications: for the prevention and treatment of calcium deficiency; to support specific therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis (bone loss); in addition to vitamin D3 for the treatment of rickets (softening of growing bones in children) and osteomalacia (softening of bones in adults).

For risks and side effects, read the package leaflet and ask your doctor, pharmacist, or in your pharmacy.


PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg Effervescent Tablets
Active ingredient: Calcium (as calcium D-gluconate - calcium lactate (2:3) 2 H2O and calcium carbonate)

Read the entire package leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine, as it contains important information. Always take this medicine exactly as described in this package leaflet or exactly as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist.

• Keep this package leaflet. You may want to read it again later.
• Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
• If you notice any side effects, contact your doctor or pharmacist. This also applies to side effects not listed in this package leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this package leaflet

1. WHAT IS CALCIUM-SANDOZ FORTE 500 MG AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?
2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE CALCIUM-SANDOZ FORTE 500 MG?
3. HOW TO TAKE CALCIUM-SANDOZ FORTE 500 MG?
4. WHAT SIDE EFFECTS ARE POSSIBLE?
5. HOW TO STORE CALCIUM-SANDOZ FORTE 500 MG?
6. CONTENTS OF THE PACK AND OTHER INFORMATION

1. WHAT IS CALCIUM-SANDOZ FORTE 500 MG AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg is a mineral supplement.

CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg is used:

• for the prevention and treatment of calcium deficiency.
• to support specific therapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis (bone loss).

CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg is also used in addition to vitamin D3 for the treatment of rickets (softening of growing bones in children) and osteomalacia (softening of bones in adults).

How does CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 300 mg work?
Calcium is an essential mineral necessary for bone formation and maintenance. It is absorbed in the small intestine and distributed throughout the body via the blood. Calcium plays an important role in several bodily functions. It is essential for nerve, muscle, and heart function, as well as for blood clotting. It also mediates the action of many hormones. To fulfill all these tasks, calcium must be present in the appropriate tissues in the required concentration.

2. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU TAKE CALCIUM-SANDOZ FORTE 500 MG?

CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg must not be taken:

• if you are allergic to the active ingredient, sulfur dioxide, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine listed in section 6.
• if your blood calcium level is elevated (hypercalcemia).
• if your calcium excretion in urine is elevated (hypercalciuria).
• if you have certain kidney disorders, including: kidney stones (nephrolithiasis), calcium deposits in kidney tissue (nephrocalcinosis).

Warnings and precautions

Please talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg. If you suffer from kidney disease, you should only use this preparation after consulting your doctor. This applies in particular if you are taking aluminum-containing preparations. Do not take vitamin D preparations together with CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg without medical advice. CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg may be taken at the earliest 3 hours after taking oral bisphosphonates or sodium fluoride and at least 2 hours after or 4 to 6 hours before taking tetracycline, as calcium reduces the absorption of these active ingredients.

Taking CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg with other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking/using other medicines, have recently taken/used other medicines, or intend to take/use other medicines. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken a medicine with any of the active ingredients listed below:

• thiazide diuretics,
• tetracyclines,
• sodium fluoride,
• bisphosphonates,
• corticosteroids.

If you are taking cardiac glycosides at the same time, please carefully follow your doctor's instructions.

Taking CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg with food and drink

When consuming foods rich in oxalic acid or phytic acid, such as spinach, rhubarb, and whole grain products, CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg should only be taken at least 2 hours later.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you suspect you may be pregnant or intend to become pregnant, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg can be taken during pregnancy and breastfeeding if there is a calcium deficiency. For pregnant and breastfeeding women, the appropriate daily intake (including food and supplementary intake) is generally 1,000 - 1,300 mg of calcium. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the total daily intake should not exceed 1,500 mg of calcium. Calcium passes into breast milk without having harmful effects on the newborn child.

Driving and operating machinery

Taking CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg does not affect the ability to drive or operate machinery.

CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg contains sodium, sorbitol and glucose

CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg contains 288.3 mg (12.5 mmol) of sodium (main component of table salt/cooking salt) per effervescent tablet. This corresponds to 14.4% of the maximum recommended daily sodium intake for an adult with food. The maximum recommended daily dose of this medicine contains 864.9 mg of sodium. This corresponds to 43.2% of the maximum recommended daily sodium intake for an adult with food. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you need 2 or more effervescent tablets daily for a longer period, especially if you are on a low-salt (low-sodium) diet. This medicine contains 0.65 g of sorbitol per effervescent tablet. Sorbitol is a source of fructose. Talk to your doctor before you (or your child) take or receive this medicine if your doctor has told you that you (or your child) have an intolerance to some sugars or if you have been diagnosed with hereditary fructose intolerance (HFI) - a rare inherited disorder in which a person cannot break down fructose. This medicine contains glucose. Please only take CALCIUM SANDOZ Forte 500 mg after consulting your doctor if you know that you suffer from a sugar intolerance.

3. HOW TO TAKE CALCIUM-SANDOZ FORTE 500 MG?

Always take this medicine exactly as described in this package leaflet or exactly as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. The recommended dose for adults is 1 effervescent tablet (as a single dose) 1, 2 or 3 times daily (corresponding to 500 - 1,500 mg of calcium).

Use in children

1 effervescent tablet (as a single dose) 1