Adult Dosing
Treatment and prevention of hypocalcemia
- 1-2 g/day PO divided tid-qid
Chronic hypocalcemia
- 9.5-19 g/day PO divided tid-qid
Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis
- 1.2 g/day elemental Ca PO divided tid-qid
Notes- Consume with food
- Recommended daily intake 19-50 yrs: 1 g/day elemental Ca PO divided tid-qid
- Recommended daily intake >50 yrs: 1.2 g/day elemental Ca PO divided tid-qid
Pediatric Dosing
- Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established
Renal Dose Adjustment (Based on CrCl)
- <25 mL/min: Adjust dose based on calcium levels
Hepatic Dose Adjustment
- Hepatic impairment: Dose adjustments not defined
- Periodically monitor serum calcium concentrations
- Maintain serum calcium concentrations at recommended levels of 9-10.4 mg/dL
- Serum calcium concentrations should not exceed 12 mg/dL
- Hypercalciuria can occur in the presence of hypocalcemia
- Maintain adequate fluids as it will prevent formation of renal stones in patients with hypercalciuria
- Monitor serum calcium concentrations every 4-6 hrs, maintain total serum calcium concentrations at recommended levels of 7-9 mg/dL
- Monitor ionized calcium concentrations as total calcium concentration does not correlate well with ionized concentration in critically ill patients
- Higher than normal total serum calcium concentrations may occur in patients who have received transfusions of citrated blood
- Discontinue drug on occurrence of hypercalcemia
- May cause GI irritation
- Hypercalcemia may occur with high doses in patients with chronic renal failure
- Avoid over treatment of hypocalcemia as hypercalcemia may be more fatal than hypocalcemia, mild hypercalcemia may be asymptomatic
- Reduce calcium intake for treatment of mild hypercalcemia, severe hypercalcemia requires hemodialysis
- High intake of calcium may lead to risk of renal calculi
Cautions: Use cautiously in
- Renal impairment
- Cardiac disease
- Severe respiratory insufficiency
- Patients receiving digitalis glycosides
- Hypercalciuria
- Dehydration
- Hyperparathyroidism
- Vitamin D toxicity
- GI bleeding
- GI obstruction
Pregnancy Category:C
Breastfeeding: Safety unknown; manufacturer advises caution.

US Trade Name(s)
US Availability
calcium citrate (generic)

Canadian Trade Name(s)
Canadian Availability

UK Trade Name(s)
UK Availability

Australian Trade Name(s)
Australian Availability
Citracal
Pricing data from www.DrugStore.com in U.S.A.
- Calcium Citrate 950 MG TABS [Bottle] (MAJOR PHARMACEUTICALS)
100 mg = $13.99
200 mg = $16.97
Warning: This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit drugstore.com.