While you typically link calcium to building strong bones, your body needs this mineral for a variety of other important purposes including muscle function, nerve transmission and heart health. Issues like inadequate intake through diet or the presence of certain health problems could lead to a deficiency and supplementation can help correct this problem. Like any substance, natural or pharmaceutical, calcium supplements could cause negative side effects though it is generally considered a safe dietary supplement.
Common Side Effects
The most common side effects are of the gastrointestinal variety and include gas, bloating and constipation. The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements reports these side effects are more likely if you take calcium carbonate rather than calcium citrate -- these two forms make up a majority of calcium supplements.
Other Potential Side Effects
Calcium supplements can cause other side effects but would only likely appear if taken in very high doses. They include kidney stones, muscle weakness, nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, irregular heart beat and confusion. According to the NIH, total calcium intake of 2,000 mg daily for people aged 19 to 50 and 2,500 mg daily for people 51 and older appear to be safe -- these limits include calcium from the diet as well. Exceeding this daily intake of calcium could increase your risk for more serious side effects.
Medication Interactions
The use of calcium supplements could interfere with the actions of certain medications by making them less effective or increasing the risk of side effects reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. They include the osteoporosis medication alendronate, digoxin, which helps regulate normal heart rhythms, beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure, classes of antibiotics such as tetracyclines and quinolones, the synthetic thyroid hormone levothyroxine and certain anti-seizure medications. Depending on the medication used, you might not be able to use calcium supplements at all or you will need to take the supplements and the medications a few hours apart to avoid interaction. Talk to your doctor before using calcium supplements if you take any of these sorts of medications so he can offer guidance on proper usage.
Contraindications
The presence of certain health conditions could make calcium supplementation problematic. If you have a medical condition that increases calcium levels in the body, supplementing with calcium could lead to serious complications. Examples include kidney failure, sarcoidosis and hyperparathyroidism. Avoid calcium supplements if you have a history of kidney stones. If you have a risk of prostate cancer, the UMMC cautions against calcium supplements as high levels of this mineral, whether through supplementation or diet, has been linked to an increased risk of this type of cancer.
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