Calcigen® D is a vitamin-mineral combination preparation consisting of calcium carbonate 1500 mg (equivalent to 600 mg calcium) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 400 I. E to be taken twice daily. If the preparation is used during pregnancy, however, it may only be taken once a day at most. It is available from a pharmacy but not on prescription and is supplied in the form of effervescent or chewable tablets.
Field of application
Calcigen® D is used to compensate combined calcium and vitamin D3 deficiencies or to prevent such deficiencies. This plays a role especially in osteoporosis prophylaxis and osteoporosis treatment. Special features during intake: While taking Calcigen® D, the kidney function should be checked at regular intervals by determining the creatinine value in serum.
In addition, the calcium level in serum and urine should be determined repeatedly. This is particularly important in patients who are taking cardiac glycosides and/or diuretics at the same time and who are of advanced age. Enormous care is also required with concomitant therapy with bisphosphonates, sodium fluoride or tetracyclines.
If a further preparation containing vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is taken, the total dose of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) administered must be taken into account. In patients suffering from sarcoidosis (Boeck’s disease), there is an increased change of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) to its active metabolites. Here too, the calcium level in blood and urine should be checked at regular intervals. Please inform your treating physician if you suffer from renal insufficiency, as the vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) metabolism is disturbed here.
Adverse drug reactions
Side effects that are rare, i.e. occur in 1 to 10 out of 10,000 people treated: A prolonged overdose of the drug increases the risk of developing
- Hypersensitivity reactions (hives, rashes),
- Itching
- Burping
- Feeling of fullness Völlegefu
- Nausea and vomiting
- Flatulence, constipation, diarrhoea
- Increased blood calcium level (hypercalcemia)
- Increased calcium excretion via the urine (hypercalcuria) and
- An increased thirst
- Calcium kidney stones
- Headaches
- Tachycardia
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Muscle, bone and joint pain
Interactions
Interactions with diuretic agents (thiazide-type diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide) may occur, which may eventually cause hypercalcemia. The effect of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) can be disturbed by the following drugs: When taking colestyramine for hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol levels), an interval of at least two hours should be observed between the intake of Calcigen® D and colestyramine, otherwise the absorption of Calcigen® D in the gastrointestinal tract may be impaired. The absorption of iron may also be affected, therefore iron-containing preparations should be taken two hours before or two hours after the intake of Calcigen® D. This two-hour interval also applies to the cytostatic drug estramustine.
For certain antibiotics, such as tetracyclines or bisphosphonates and sodium fluoride, the interval should be at least three hours. Since taking Calcigen® D can lead to an increase in the blood calcium level, it is possible that sensitivity to drugs used in heart failure (cardiac glycosides) is increased and the risk of cardiac arrhythmia is increased. Interactions with food are also known. These include foods containing oxalic acid (such as rhubarb, star fruits, chard, cocoa and many more), phytic acid (for example in corn, soya or peanuts), phosphates (for example in processed cheese or soft drinks) or those with a considerable fibre content. – Barbiturates
- Glucocorticoids
- Phenytoin and
- Rifampicin
