Calcium acetate: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects and More

Generic Medicine Info Patient Medicine Information

This information is not country-specific. Please refer to the Indonesia prescribing information.

Generic Medicine Info

Indications and Dosage

Oral
Hyperphosphataemia in chronic kidney disease, Hyperphosphataemia in patients with chronic renal failure

Adult: In patients undergoing dialysis: As 1,000 mg tab: Initially, 1,000 mg tid. Usual dose range: 4,000-6,000 mg daily in divided doses. Max: 12,000 mg daily. As 475 mg tab or 950 mg tab: Usual dose range: 475-950 mg with breakfast, 475-950 mg with a snack, 950-2,850 mg with a main meal, and 950-1,900 mg with supper. Max: 6,650 mg daily. As 667 mg cap: Initially, 1,334 mg with each meal. Usual dose range: 1,334-2,001 mg with each meal. All doses are adjusted based on the target serum phosphate level. Dosage recommendations may vary among individual products and between countries (refer to specific product guidelines).

Administration

Should be taken with food.

Contraindications

Hypercalcaemia.

Special Precautions

Patient with risk factors for cardiac arrhythmias, hypoparathyroidism. Pregnancy and lactation.

Adverse Reactions

Significant: Hypercalcaemia, constipation, bloating, gas.
Gastrointestinal disorders: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
General disorders and administration site conditions: Soft tissue calcification (prolonged use).

Pregnancy Category (US FDA)

PO: C

Monitoring Parameters

Monitor serum Ca (twice weekly during initial dose adjustments), phosphorus, and Ca-phosphorus product. Obtain intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH).

Drug Interactions

May reduce absorption of antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, norfloxacin, tetracyclines), bisphosphonates, fluorides and anticholinergics. Increased risk of hypercalcaemia with vitamin D preparations, Ca supplements, Ca-based antacids, thiazides and thiazide-like diuretics. Increased risk of cardiac toxicity with digitalis glycosides, verapamil and gallopamil.

Action

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Calcium acetate combines with dietary phosphates in the gastrointestinal tract to form an insoluble Ca-phosphate complex, which is excreted in the faeces, thereby decreasing serum phosphorus concentration.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Mainly absorbed from the small intestine by active transport and passive diffusion.
Distribution: Crosses the placenta and enters the breast milk.
Excretion: Mainly via faeces (as unabsorbed calcium); urine (20%).

Chemical Structure

Storage

Store between 20-25°C.

MIMS Class

Calcium/with Vitamins

ATC Classification

V03AE07 - calcium acetate ; Belongs to the class of drugs used in the treatment of hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia.

References

Brayfield A, Cadart C (eds). Calcium. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [online]. London. Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 04/03/2025.

Calcetate (Charoon Bhesaj Ltd). MIMS Thailand. http://www.mims.com/thailand. Accessed 04/03/2025.

Calcium Acetate Capsule (Heritage Pharmaceuticals Inc. d/b/a Avet Pharmaceuticals Inc.). DailyMed. Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed. Accessed 04/03/2025.

Calcium Acetate. UpToDate Lexidrug, Lexi-Drugs Multinational Online. Waltham, MA. UpToDate, Inc. https://online.lexi.com. Accessed 04/03/2025.

Joint Formulary Committee. Calcium Acetate. British National Formulary [online]. London. BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. https://www.medicinescomplete.com. Accessed 04/03/2025.

Phosex 1,000 mg Tablet (Pharmacosmos A/S). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 04/03/2025.

Renacet 475 mg Film-coated Tablets (RenaCare NephroMed GmbH). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 04/03/2025.

Renacet 950 mg Film-coated Tablets (RenaCare NephroMed GmbH). MHRA. https://products.mhra.gov.uk. Accessed 04/03/2025.

Disclaimer: This information is independently developed by MIMS based on Calcium acetate from various references and is provided for your reference only. Therapeutic uses, prescribing information and product availability may vary between countries. Please refer to MIMS Product Monographs for specific and locally approved prescribing information. Although great effort has been made to ensure content accuracy, MIMS shall not be held responsible or liable for any claims or damages arising from the use or misuse of the information contained herein, its contents or omissions, or otherwise. Copyright © 2025 MIMS. All rights reserved. Powered by MIMS.com