CALCIDON ® is a calcium + cholecalciferol based drug
THERAPEUTIC GROUP: Mineral supplement: calcium carbonate associated with cholecalciferol
Indications CALCIDON ® - Calcium + Cholecalciferol
CALCIDON ® is indicated in the prevention and treatment of calcium and vitamin D3 deficiency states and related pathological conditions.
Mechanism of action CALCIDON ® - Calcium + Cholecalciferol
CALCIDON ® is a particularly active drug on calcium metabolism, given the simultaneous presence of both calcium carbonate and cholecalciferol.
The mineral / vitamin D3 combination allows to rapidly increase blood calcium concentrations, preventing the morbid states associated with hypocalcemia.
Calcium carbonate, taken orally and converted in the stomach into calcium chloride, is absorbed by active transport from the intestinal mucosa and directed to various tissues where under the action of hormones such as parathyroid hormone, calcitonin and vitamin D3 it is suitably used or eliminated in faeces and urine.
On the other hand, once absorbed by the intestinal mucosa, cholecalciferol is transported by plasma proteins and transported first to the liver and then to the kidneys, where it undergoes two successive hydroxylations that transform it into calcitriol, the biologically active form of vitamin D3.
The latter, through specific intracellular receptors, can modulate the gene expression of various cells, and therefore regulate the metabolism of the aforementioned trace element, contributing to the increase of its plasma and tissue concentrations.
Studies carried out and clinical efficacy
1. THE EFFECTS OF FOOD FATS ON THE "ACTIVITY" OF VITAMIN D3.
J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Oct; 96: 3170-4. Epub 2011 Aug 3.
Type of dietary fat is associated with the 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 increment in response to vitamin D supplementation.
Niramitmahapanya S, Harris SS, Dawson-Hughes B.
Very interesting study that demonstrates how the different chemical nature of fatty acids introduced with the diet can influence the concentrations and activity of vitamin D3. In particular, monounsaturated fatty acids seem to enhance the activity of vitamin D3, while polyunsaturated and saturated ones depress it.
2. CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D IN THE PREVENTION OF MELANOMES
J Clin Oncol. 2011 Aug 1; 29: 3078-84. Epub 2011 Jun 27.
Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and the risk of nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancer: post hoc analyzes of the women "s health initiative randomized controlled trial.
Tang JY, Fu T, Leblanc E, Manson JE, Feldman D, Linos E, Vitolins MZ, Zeitouni NC, Larson J, Stefanick ML.
Although supplementation with vitamin D and calcium did not reduce the overall incidence of cutaneous melanomas in the general population, the use of these supplements has been shown to be important in preventing the incidence of melanomas in patients with skin cancers.
3. VITAMIN D3 AND VASCULAR FUNCTION
Am J Hypertens. 2011 May; 24: 557-62. Epub 2011 Feb 10.
Vitamin D3 supplementation for 16 weeks improves flow-mediated dilation in overweight African-American adults.
Harris RA, Pedersen-White J, Guo DH, Stallmann-Jorgensen IS, Keeton D, Huang Y, Shah Y, Zhu H, Dong Y.
Oral supplementation with vitamin D3 for 16 weeks has been shown to be useful in improving vascular endothelial function in overweight adult African-American patients.
Method of use and dosage
CALCIDON ®
Effervescent tablets of 625 mg of calcium carbonate and 300 IU of vitamin D3:
we recommend taking one tablet a day, dissolved in a glass of water.
Treatment should be carried out for short periods and under medical indication.
CALCIDON ® warnings - Calcium + Cholecalciferol
The intake of CALCIDON ® must necessarily be justified by appropriate needs such as reduced dietary intake of these elements or deficiency syndromes.
In any case, it would be advisable to consult your doctor before resorting to self-medication, taking care to check kidney function and blood concentrations of calcium and phosphorus in advance and during therapy.
CALCIDON ® contains sucrose therefore it is not recommended in subjects suffering from glucose / galactose malabsorption syndrome, sucrase-isomaltase enzyme deficiency and hereditary fructose intolerance.
PREGNANCY AND BREASTFEEDING
The use of CALCIDON ® during pregnancy should only take place in cases of real necessity and under close medical supervision.
The ability of vitamin D3 to pass through the breast filter accumulating in breast milk, allows to extend the contraindications to the use of this product even during the breastfeeding period.
Interactions
Although the dosages of the active ingredients present in CALCIDON ® allow to minimize the potential side effects of therapy, it is advisable to pay attention to the concomitant intake of antiepileptics, anticonvulsants and digitalis, which could alter the pharmacokinetic characteristics of the drug increasing the risk of effects collateral.
Contraindications CALCIDON ® - Calcium + Cholecalciferol
CALCIDON ® is contraindicated in case of hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, nephrolithiasis and hypersensitivity to the active substance or to one of its excipients.
Undesirable Effects - Side Effects
The dosages of vitamin D3 and calcium present in CALCIDON ® minimize the appearance of side effects following the correct intake of this drug.
The most frequently reported side effects and fortunately limited exclusively to the treatment period include constipation, arrhythmias, hypertension, drowsiness and muscle weakness.
Note
CALCIDON ® is an OTC drug, therefore free for sale.
The information on CALCIDON ® - Calcium + Cholecalciferol published on this page may be out of date or incomplete. For a correct use of this information, see the Disclaimer and useful information page.
