Doctors prescribe calcium medications to treat a variety of conditions. Calcium supplements are among the most common calcium medications, with calcium carbonate or citrate used to treat osteoporosis and low calcium levels in the body. Antacids, osteoporosis treatments and medications for thyroid, heart and muscle conditions may also contain calcium either as an active ingredient or to neutralize stomach acid. Calcium interacts with a number of foods, vitamins, minerals and medications, so it is important to know how to best take calcium medications.
Step 1
Read and carefully follow the instructions for your calcium medication. Do not exceed your daily dose and take the medication at regular intervals. Drink a full glass of water with your capsule, chewable tablet or liquid medication to ensure you ingest all of it at once.
Step 2
Dissolve and absorb calcium carbonate, a common supplement, in an acidic environment. Pair this supplement with a meal to increase absorption by increasing the amount of acid in your stomach and intestines. Take calcium citrate instead of calcium carbonate if you are unable to pair your supplement with food, as your body can absorb calcium citrate on an empty stomach.
Step 3
Take calcium supplements in smaller doses throughout the day to increase absorption. High levels of calcium in the blood can reduce your body's ability to absorb calcium. High intakes have the same effect, with your body absorbing a lower percentage of a large dose.
Step 4
Pair calcium with vitamin C, vitamin D, caffeine, lactose or foods rich in the amino acid lysine. Expose yourself to sunlight or drink milk to obtain vitamin D, which is essential to calcium absorption. Eat foods such as eggs, fish and lima beans to obtain lysine, which is also essential to calcium absorption. Eat foods or drink beverages rich in vitamin C, lactose or caffeine, all of which aid, though are not essential to, calcium absorption.
Step 5
Refrain from taking calcium supplements with other calcium-containing medications, as these may lead your body to use calcium for different purposes. Instead, take supplements at least two hours before or after other calcium medications.
Step 6
Avoid foods or other supplements that interfere with calcium absorption. Tannins in tea and wine can bind with calcium in your intestine, preventing absorption. Spinach, soybeans and cocoa contain oxalic acid, another compound that binds with and prevents absorption of calcium. Do not take laxatives or foods high in dietary fiber with calcium, as these can promote the excretion of calcium. Avoid foods with high phosphorus and magnesium concentrations, as the absorption of these minerals requires vitamin D that would otherwise be used for calcium absorption.
Tips and Warnings
- Use dietary sources to obtain as much of your daily intake as possible. Aim for 2,500 mg per day, using both supplements and dietary sources if you are unable to meet your daily needs through diet alone.
- Consult your doctor if you have been taking anticonvulsants or corticosteroids for a long time. Both of these medications can damage bones, so you may need to seek out more extreme calcium supplementation or other forms of therapy to compensate.
Things You'll Need
- Vitamin D supplements
- Vitamin C supplements
References
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; Calcium Supplement Guidelines; Linda Houtkooper and Vanessa A. Farrell; January 2011
- MedlinePlus: Calcium Carbonate
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Calcium
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Possible Interactions With Calcium
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lysine
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