INN monograph
Calcium Supplement
Vitamin / mineral / nutritional supplement · POM
Verified · Updated 01 Aug 2026 · Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Vitamin / mineral / nutritional supplement)
Kenya market
Wholesale / list prices where loaded
Risk first
Contraindications
- Renal calculi
- hypercalcae- mia
- hypercalciuria
- sarcoidosis.
- Dibasic or tribasic calcium phosphates are contra-indicated in hypoparathyroidism and renal insufficiency.
- Parenteral calcium salts are contra-indicated in digitalis toxicity.
Precautions
- Dehydration
- electrolyte imbalance
- diarrhoea
- history of renal calculi
- chronic renal function impairment
- cardiac function impairment and ventricular fibrillation during cardiac resuscitation [parenteral calcium salts only]
- achlorhydria or hypochlorhydria [calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate only].
Point of care
Dosing
Adult
The dose is dependent on the requirements of the individual patient. IV injections must be administered slowly. For calcium gluconate: The usual IV dose in adults: 5002000mg per day. In children the usual dose: 500mg/kg/day or 12 g/m2/day. FOR CALCIUM SANDOZ : Calcium-Sandoz Forte: Children: 1 - 2 tablets in a glass of water daily. Adults: 1 to 2 tablets in a glass of water BD
Paediatric
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Renal
Fat-soluble vitamins and potassium need care in advanced CKD.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Hepatic
Vitamin A toxicity hepatic; niacin hepatotoxicity at high dose.
Safety
Drug interactions
- Prefer food-first then targeted replacement.
- Document laboratory indication for high-dose therapy.
- Public health: vitamin A, iron, folate programmes per MoH guidance.
Safety
Adverse effects
- Hypotension
- flushing
- irregular heartbeats
- vomiting
- rash, pain at injection site
- sweating
- tingling sensation
- hypercalcemic syndrome
- renal calculi, symptoms of hypercalcemia.
Use
Indications
- Prophylaxis of calcium deficiency
- treatment of hyperphosphataemia
- treatment of chronic hypocalcaemia, treatment of acute hy- pocalcaemia
- neonatal hypocalcaemia tetany
- vitamin D deficiency
- tetany due to parathyroid deficiency
- alkalosis
- hyperparathyroidism sur- gery
- adjunct therapy for insect bites / stings, allergic reactions
- prevention of hypocalcaemia during exchange transfusions
- treatment adjunct in hyperkalaemia
- treatment adjunct in hypomag- nesaemia
Pharmacology
Mode of action
Calcium is required for: the functional integrity of the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems; maintenance of normal cardiac functions, renal functions, respiration, blood coagulation, and cell membrane and capillary permeability; regulation of release and storage of neurotransmitters and hormones, uptake and binding…
Full mechanism text
Calcium is required for: the functional integrity of the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems; maintenance of normal cardiac functions, renal functions, respiration, blood coagulation, and cell membrane and capillary permeability; regulation of release and storage of neurotransmitters and hormones, uptake and binding of amino acids, control the secretion of gastrin, absorption of vitamin B12.
ADME
Pharmacokinetics & PD
| Onset | Days–weeks for repletion |
|---|---|
| Duration | Depends on stores and ongoing intake |
| Route | ORAL / IM / IV (selected) |
| Absorption | depends on GI integrity, food matrix and binders (e.g. calcium/iron interactions). Fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K) accumulate; water-soluble generally renally cleared. |
Kenya
Brands & prices
| Brand | Company | Pack | KES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonium | Centaur Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| C | Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| C & G NUTRISTART 2 | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | 400GM | 1,333.87 |
| Ca-C Sandoz | GlaxoSmithkline | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Calci D- DENK | E-Denk OHG | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| CALCIUM+MG+ZINC+D3 Calter Plus | Syner-Medica (K) Ltd | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Calcium Activ DENK | E-Denk OHG | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Calcium Sandoz Forte Effervescent Tablets | GlaxoSmithkline | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Cavic- C | Incepta Pharma | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| C BOOST TABLETS 30*S | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | — | 526.40 |
| Famcal | Indoco Remedies Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Ideos Chewable tabs | Innotech International | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| NGH Osteovite | Biodeal Laboratories Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Purecal | Prisma Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | Standard Commercial Pack | 580.50 |
| PURECAL CHEWABLE TABS 30 S | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | — | 746.36 |
| Softcal | Geltec Private Limited | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Zedcal | Meyer Organics | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| Zedcal-OP | Meyer Organics | Standard Commercial Pack | — |
| ZEDCAL ORAL SUSP * | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | 200ML | 625.65 |
| ZEDCAL TAB*30`S | DAIMA BIASHARA / Wholesale Import | — | 626.24 |
Special populations
Pregnancy & lactation
Pregnancy
Folic acid preconception/first trimester critical. Iron/folate common in ANC. Avoid excess vitamin A.
Lactation
Maternal repletion often appropriate; avoid megadoses.
Diet
Food & alcohol
- Food
- Food
Trust
Sources & disclaimer
Source: Local active-ingredient clinical extract; Professional class pharmacology (Vitamin / mineral / nutritional supplement)
Last reviewed: 01 Aug 2026
Decision support only — not a substitute for clinical judgment, product SmPC, or Kenya STG/EML.