Home Drug Guide Calcium Carbonate

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Calcium Carbonate

Brand Names Pepcid Complete

Classification

Therapeutic: Antacid, Mineral supplement

Pharmacological: Calcium salt, Histamine H2 receptor antagonist

FDA Approved Indications

  • Heartburn and acid indigestion relief
  • Prevention of stress ulcers in hospitalized patients
  • Calcium supplementation in deficiency

Mechanism of Action

Calcium carbonate neutralizes stomach acid through chemical reaction, providing symptomatic relief of indigestion and acting as a calcium supplement.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 500-1000 mg every 4-6 hours as needed, not to exceed 7500 mg per day.

Pediatric: Dosing varies; consult specific pediatric guidelines.

Geriatric: Adjustments based on kidney function; monitor for calcium overload.

Renal Impairment: Use cautiously; risk of hypercalcemia.

Hepatic Impairment: No specific adjustment necessary.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, but absorption is limited and depends on the dose.

Distribution: Widely distributed; calcium binds to plasma proteins.

Metabolism: Not significantly metabolized.

Excretion: Excreted primarily via the kidneys.

Half Life: Approximately 1-3 hours; varies with serum calcium levels.

Contraindications

  • Hypocalcemia
  • Kidney stones caused by hypercalcemia

Precautions

  • Use with caution in patients with renal impairment, hypercalcemia, or on medications affecting calcium metabolism.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Constipation (Common)
  • Stomach upset (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Hypercalcemia (Rare)
  • Kidney stones (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

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Drug-Food Interactions

  • Avoid taking with high-iron foods or supplements simultaneously, as iron absorption may be decreased.

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor serum calcium and renal function in long-term use.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for electrolyte imbalance
  • Impaired gastrointestinal comfort

Implementation: Administer after meals for best effect; chew thoroughly if chewable.

Evaluation: Assess relief of symptoms and monitor calcium levels.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take as directed and do not exceed recommended dose.
  • Notify healthcare provider if symptoms persist.
  • Report signs of hypercalcemia (nausea, vomiting, confusion).

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings: N/A

Genetic Factors: None specified.

Lab Test Interference: May interfere with serum calcium, phosphate, and magnesium tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, confusion, muscle weakness, or irregular heartbeat.

Treatment: Supportive care; calcium chelation or dialysis if severe hypercalcemia occurs.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature, away from moisture and light.

Stability: Stable under normal conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.