Citracal is a United States brand name for a calcium supplement. It is used in the treatment of calcium deficiency. The Mayo Clinic states Citracal can help prevent hypocalcemia conditions and treat those that already exist. Hypocalcemia is a condition in which your blood lacks proper calcium levels. If left untreated, calcium can be taken from your bones, causing them to become brittle, a condition known as osteoporosis. Citracal also may be used to treat a condition in which you have more than the needed amount of phosphate in your blood called hyperphospatemia.
Heart Side Effects
Taking Citracal can cause a serious common side effect that affects your heart and circulation. You may develop an arrhythmia or irregular heart rate when you take the supplement. This can cause problems throughout your body, including preventing enough oxygen from reaching your cells. Tell your physician immediately if your heart appears to “skip” beats or if you notice a change in your heart rhythm.
Abdominal Side Effects
The most serious common side effects of Citracal that you may experience in your abdominal area are nausea and its attendant vomiting. While this may seem typical enough when taking a new medication, in the case of a calcium supplement, it is indicative of a serious side effect. If you have no other condition that might cause nausea and vomiting—such as the flu or a cold—when you take Citracal, contact your doctor. Less serious, but also quite common is constipation, Drugs.com states. It can make it difficult to defecate. This side effect, however, should pass on its own without medical aid. Tell a doctor if it persists.
Body Side Effects
Citracal also may induce other serious side effects. It may make you dizzy, for example, and make you feel as if you are spinning and may fall. Citracal can cause you to feel a sensation of tingling throughout your body, and it may make you sweat suddenly or more than usual. Your body may flush, meaning your skin gets red and you feel as if you are warm all over. Explain any of these problems to your doctor. A headache is common when first taking Citracal, but it should be temporary.
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