calcium carbonate
Indication
- Treatment of hypocalcemia in neonates tolerating oral supplements
- Treatment of metabolic bone disease of prematurity, usually in conjunction with phosphate supplements
Dosage Guidelines
- Hypocalcemia: 25-75 mg/kg/dose oral q6 hours (elemental calcium: 40-120 mg/kg/day)
- Maintenance: 12.5-25 mg/kg/dose oral q6 hours (elemental calcium: 20-40 mg/kg/day)
- Metabolic bone disease of prematurity: Start at 75 mg/kg/day (elemental calcium: 30 mg/kg/day)
For acute IV treatment, see calcium gluconate 10%
Administration
- Oral: mix with feeds
- Do not administer at the same time as phosphate or iron (ferrous sulphate) supplements
Adverse Effects
- Irritating to gastric mucosa (give with feeds)
- Constipation
Comments
- Monitor response to therapy: serum ionized calcium, serum phosphate and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels twice monthly for osteopenia
- 1 mg elemental calcium = 0.025 mmol elemental calcium
- Calcium carbonate suspension 200 mg/mL provides 80 mg elemental calcium/mL or 2 mmol elemental calcium/mL
Supplied As
200 mg/mL oral suspension (preservative-free)
References
Mount Sinai NICU medication manual