Calcium Acetate, Oral

What are other names for this medicine?

Generic and brand names: calcium acetate, oral; PhosLo

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is taken by mouth to control levels of phosphate in the blood of people with kidney disease who are on dialysis.

What should my health care provider know before I take this medicine?

Before you take this medicine, tell your health care provider if you are taking digitalis. Taking both medicines together may cause a serious irregular heartbeat.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.

How should I take it?

Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes. It is usually taken with each meal.

Do not miss doses. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine can increase the calcium in your blood. This can cause a serious condition that may require emergency treatment. The symptoms of hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood) include:

• abnormal drowsiness
• coma
• constipation
• delirium (confusion, disordered speech, and hearing or seeing things that are not there)
• loss of appetite
• nausea
• vomiting.

Do not take this medicine if you have hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood).

Do not take any other form of calcium, such as calcium supplements or antacids containing calcium, while taking this medicine. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.

You will need to have regular blood tests to check the calcium levels in your blood. Your dosage may need to be adjusted based on the test results. Keep all appointments for these tests.

If you develop hives (with or without itching) and no other symptoms, this is a sign of a mild allergic reaction.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Hives, vomiting, delirium, constipation, loss of appetite, confusion, and abnormal drowsiness.

Other: Itching.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:

• antacids containing calcium (check with your pharmacist)
• calcium supplements (check with your pharmacist)
• digitalis, digoxin (Lanoxin)
• tetracycline (Achromycin V, Sumycin).

Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or drug interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.