Dosing and uses of Citracal (calcium citrate)
Adult dosage forms and strengths
tablet/capsule
- 150mg
- 200mg
- 250mg
- 950mg
- 1040mg
Granules
- 760mg/3.5g
RDA (Elemental Calcium)
<50 years: 1 g/day
>50 years females: 1.2 g/day
>50 years males: 1 g/day
>70 years males: 1.2 g/day
Hypocalcemia Prevention
1 g/day in divided doses
Primary Osteoporosis Prevention
1-1.5 g/day in divided doses
Other Information
211 mg elemental Ca per gram of calcium citrate
Most commercial products also contain Vitamin d
Other Indications & Uses
Oral Ca supplements may protect against renal calculi formation by chelating with oxalate in gut and preventing its absorption
Pediatric dosage forms and strengths
tablet/capsule
- 150mg
- 200mg
- 250mg
- 950mg
- 1040mg
Granules
- 760mg/3.5g
RDA (Elemental Calcium)
<6 months old: 200 mg/day
6-12 months old: 260 mg/day
1-3 years old: 700 mg/day
4-8 years old: 1000 mg/day
9-18 years old: 1300 mg/day
Hypocalcemia
Neonates: 50-150 mg/kg/day divided q4-6hr PO; dose expressed as elemental calcium; no more than 1g/day
Children: 45-65 mg/kg/day divided q6hr PO; dose expressed as elemental calcium
Citracal (calcium citrate) adverse (side) effects
Frequency not defined
Hypotension
Headache
Constipation
Diarrhea
Flatulence
Nausea
Vomiting
Hypophosphatemia
Hypomagnesemia
Hypercalcemia
- Anorexia
- Coma
- Confusion
- Delirium
- Headache
- Lethargy
- Milk-alkali syndrome (very high, chronic dosing)
- Nausea/Vomiting
Warnings
Contraindications
Documented hypersensitivity, hypercalciuria, renal calculi, hypophosphatemia, hypercalcemia, ventricula fibrillation
Cautions
Hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria may result from long term use
Advise patients to limit intake of oxalate-rich foods (soy, green leafy vegetables, animal protein) to avoid reduced absorption through Ca-oxalate formation
Pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy category: C
Lactation: safe, crosses the placenta; appears in breast milk
Pregnancy categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk.
C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done.
D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk.
X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist.
NA: Information not available.
Pharmacology of Citracal (calcium citrate)
Mechanism of action
Dietary supplement: prevents or treats negative Ca balance
