Oyst-O-Cal Uses

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• Oyst-O-Cal indications
• Uses of Oyst-O-Cal in details
• Oyst-O-Cal description
• Oyst-O-Cal dosage
• Oyst-O-Cal interactions
• Oyst-O-Cal side effects
• Oyst-O-Cal contraindications

What is Oyst-O-Cal?

Treating or preventing calcium deficiency. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Oyst-O-Cal is a dietary supplement. It works by providing extra calcium to the body.

Oyst-O-Cal indications

An indication is a term used for the list of condition or symptom or illness for which the medicine is prescribed or used by the patient. For example, acetaminophen or paracetamol is used for fever by the patient, or the doctor prescribes it for a headache or body pains. Now fever, headache and body pains are the indications of paracetamol. A patient should be aware of the indications of medications used for common conditions because they can be taken over the counter in the pharmacy meaning without prescription by the Physician.

this antacid is useful for the temporary relief of occasional indigestion and heartburn. Frequent, daily or nightly symptoms usually mean a more serious problem. Antacids by themselves do not correct these problems. The medications that are now available to treat acid problems are generally superior to antacids.

The second and more important use of Calcium Carbonate (Oyst-O-Cal) is as a source of calcium, necessary for bones and teeth and to prevent osteoporosis. A quart of milk contains about 1500 mg of calcium which is about what you need. Otherwise this or a similar calcium preparation can be taken.

How should I use Oyst-O-Cal?

Use Oyst-O-Cal as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Oyst-O-Cal by mouth with or without food.
• Take Oyst-O-Cal with a full glass of water (8 oz/240 mL).
• If you also take azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole), bisphosphonates (eg, etidronate), cation exchange resins (eg, sodium polystyrene sulfonate), cephalosporins (eg, cefdinir), doxycycline, iron, quinolones (eg, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), tetracyclines (eg, doxycycline), or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine), ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take them with Oyst-O-Cal.
• If you miss a dose of Oyst-O-Cal, take it as soon as you remember. Continue to take it as directed by your doctor or on the package label.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Oyst-O-Cal.

Uses of Oyst-O-Cal in details

There are specific as well as general uses of a drug or medicine. A medicine can be used to prevent a disease, treat a disease over a period or cure a disease. It can also be used to treat the particular symptom of the disease. The drug use depends on the form the patient takes it. It may be more useful in injection form or sometimes in tablet form. The drug can be used for a single troubling symptom or a life-threatening condition. While some medications can be stopped after few days, some drugs need to be continued for prolonged period to get the benefit from it.

This combination medication is used to prevent or treat low blood calcium levels in people who do not get enough calcium from their diets. It may be used to treat conditions caused by low calcium levels such as bone loss (osteoporosis), weak bones (osteomalacia/rickets), decreased activity of the parathyroid gland (hypoparathyroidism), and a certain muscle disease (latent tetany). It may also be used in certain patients to make sure they are getting enough calcium (e.g., women who are pregnant, nursing, or postmenopausal, people taking certain medications such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, or prednisone).

Calcium plays a very important role in the body. It is necessary for normal functioning of nerves, cells, muscle, and bone. If there is not enough calcium in the blood, then the body will take calcium from bones, thereby weakening bones. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus. Having the right amounts of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus is important for building and keeping strong bones.

How to use Oyst-O-Cal(3)

Take this medication by mouth with food. If your product contains calcium citrate, then it may be taken with or without food. Follow all directions on the product package, or take as directed by your doctor. For best absorption, if your total daily dose is more than 600 milligrams, then divide your dose and space it throughout the day. If you are uncertain about any of the information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are using the liquid form of this medication, carefully measure the dose using a special measuring device/spoon. Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose.

If you are taking the chewable form of this medication, chew thoroughly before swallowing. If you are taking capsules, swallow each capsule whole.

Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day.

If your doctor has recommended that you follow a special diet, it is very important to follow the diet to get the most benefit from this medication and to prevent serious side effects. Do not take other supplements/vitamins unless ordered by your doctor.

Calcium supplements come in different forms that contain different amounts of calcium/vitamin D. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to help select the best product for you.

If you think you may have a serious medical problem, seek immediate medical attention.

Oyst-O-Cal description

Each chewable tablet contains Calcium Carbonate (Oyst-O-Cal) 1500 mg (equivalent to elemental calcium 600 mg) and cholecalciferol concentrate 4 mg (equivalent to vitamin D3 400 IU).

Oyst-O-Cal dosage

Adult and the

Elderly: 1 tab twice daily [eg, 1 tab in the morning and in the evening (equivalent to calcium 1200 mg & vitamin D3 800 IU)]. Reduction of intake should be considered necessary following the monitoring of calcium levels.

Pregnant Women: 1 tab daily. No dose adjustment is required in cases of hepatic insufficiency.

The tablets are chewed and then swallowed with some liquid. In exceptional cases (eg, disabled patients), the tablets can, after consulting a doctor, be sucked.

Oyst-O-Cal should be taken by adults only.

Oyst-O-Cal interactions

Thiazide diuretics reduce calcium excretion in the urine. Because of the increased risk of hypercalcaemia, calcium monitoring is recommended in cases when thiazide diuretics are given simultaneously.

Systemic corticosteroids reduce calcium absorption. In the case of concomitant administration of corticosteroids, it might be necessary to increase the dose of Oyst-O-Cal.

Orlistat, combined ion-exchange resin treatment eg, cholestyramine or laxatives eg, paraffin oil can reduce the gastrointestinal absorption of vitamin D3. An interval of at least 2 hrs should be observed between ingestion of ion-exchange resins (eg, cholestyramine) or laxatives and Oyst-O-Cal as otherwise the absorption of vitamin D3 is reduced.

Calcium Carbonate (Oyst-O-Cal) can alter tetracycline absorption when given simultaneously. It is recommended that taking tetracycline be staggered by at least 2 hrs before or 4-6 hrs after taking calcium by mouth.

Hypercalcaemia can increase the toxicity of cardiac glycosides in the case of simultaneous administration with calcium and vitamin D. Consequently patients must be monitored regularly (ECG check and calcaemia).

Rifampicin, phenytoin or barbiturates may reduce the activity of vitamin D3, since they increase the rate of its metabolism.

Calcium salts may decrease the absorption of iron, zinc or strontium. Consequently, the iron, zinc or strontium preparation should be taken at a distance of 2 hrs from the calcium preparation.

Calcium salts may reduce the absorption of the estramustin or thyroid hormones. It is recommended that taking Oyst-O-Cal be spaced at least 2 hrs from these medicines.

In the case of concomitant bisphosphonate, sodium fluoride or fluoroquinolone administration, it is recommended that taking Oyst-O-Cal be spaced by at least 3 hrs, as their absorption during digestion may be reduced.

Oxalic acid (found in spinach and rhubarb) and phytic acid (found in wholegrain cereals) can inhibit calcium absorption by forming insoluble compound with calcium ions. Patients must not take calcium containing-products in the 2 hrs after the consumption of foods rich in oxalic acid and phytic acid.

Oyst-O-Cal side effects

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Oyst-O-Cal?

Applies to acetaminophen: capsule, capsule liquid filled, elixir, liquid, powder, powder for solution, solution, suppository, suspension, syrup, tablet, tablet chewable, tablet disintegrating, tablet effervescent, tablet extended release

Other dosage forms:

• intravenous solution

As well as its needed effects, acetaminophen (the active ingredient contained in Oyst-O-Cal) may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.

Major Side Effects

If any of the following side effects occur while taking acetaminophen, check with your doctor immediately:

Rare

• Bloody or black, tarry stools
• bloody or cloudy urine
• fever with or without chills (not present before treatment and not caused by the condition being treated)
• pain in the lower back and/or side (severe and/or sharp)
• pinpoint red spots on the skin
• skin rash, hives, or itching
• sore throat (not present before treatment and not caused by the condition being treated)
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• sudden decrease in the amount of urine
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• yellow eyes or skin

If any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking acetaminophen, get emergency help immediately:

Symptoms of overdose:

• Diarrhea
• increased sweating
• loss of appetite
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach cramps or pain
• swelling, pain, or tenderness in the upper abdomen or stomach area

Oyst-O-Cal contraindications

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Oyst-O-Cal?

Hypersensitivity to the Calcium Carbonate (Oyst-O-Cal) or cholecalciferol, or to any of the excipients of Oyst-O-Cal. Renal failure; hypercalciuria and hypercalcaemia and diseases and/or conditions, which lead to hypercalcaemia and/or hypercalciuria (eg, myeloma, bone metastases, primary hyperparathyroidism); kidney stones (nephrolitiasis, nephrocalcinosis); hypervitaminosis D.

Active ingredient matches for Oyst-O-Cal:

Calcium Carbonate/Colecalciferol in India.

Calcium Carbonate/Vitamin D3

Calcium/Calcium Carbonate/Colecalciferol/vitamin D3 in India.

References

1. DailyMed. "CALCIUM CARBONATE; FAMOTIDINE; MAGNESIUM HYDROXIDE: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
2. DailyMed. "CHOLECALCIFEROL: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).
3. DailyMed. "CALCIUM: DailyMed provides trustworthy information about marketed drugs in the United States. DailyMed is the official provider of FDA label information (package inserts).". https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailyme... (accessed September 17, 2018).

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Information checked by Dr. Sachin Kumar, MD Pharmacology