Heartburn/GERD and Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate is used for temporary relief of occasional indigestion and heartburn.

Calcium carbonate is used for temporary relief of occasional indigestion and heartburn. Calcium carbonate is a compound that helps build strong bones and teeth. It is also the active ingredient of many commercially available antacids. It relieves the symptoms caused by hyperacidity by rapidly neutralizing the acid in the stomach

Read more details about Calcium Carbonate.

Calcium carbonate is available as tablets, lozenges, and liquid forms. These products must be taken exactly as directed. Calcium carbonate antacid can be taken with food or immediately after a meal. If you have symptoms at night, take the antacid before going to bed.

If you will take chewable tablets, you should chew the tablet thoroughly before swallowing so that it can produce rapid effects.

Usual Dose:

Dyspepsia: 300 to 8000 mg, taken by mouth in 2 to 4 divided doses.

Erosive esophagitis: 1250 to 3750 mg of calcium carbonate can be taken in 2 to 4 divided doses. GERD:1250 to 3750 mg daily, in 2 to 4 divided doses.

Calcium carbonate should not be taken for more than 2 weeks unless directed by a physician. Long-term and heavy use of any antacid can lead to many medical problems.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are allergic to tartrazine, talk with healthcare provider. Some products contain tartrazine.

• If you have kidney disease, talk with healthcare provider.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Try to separate other medicines from this one by 2 hours. This medicine prevents absorption of many medicines.

• Do not take iron, zinc, or folic acid within 2 hours of this medicine.

• Limit alcohol intake (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Belly pain.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe constipation.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.