Category- Suppliments
Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1. To treat and prevent weaking of the bones especially in conditions like osteoporosis or osteopenia 2. To treat calcium deficiency 3. To prevent and treat vitamin D deficiency 4. To help the bone heal after a fracture 5. To meet the increased calcium needs during pregnancy and lactation 6. To relieve muscle cramps/spasms due to low calcium |
| Common side effects | 1. Constipation 2. Bloating or gas 3. Nausea 4. Stomach pain or discomfort 5. Headache 6. Metallic taste in mouth 7. Increased urination |
| Additional Information | Avoid consuming alcohol and tobacco with this medicine |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored in a cool and dry place 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Store the medicine at a temperature below 25°C |
| How to Take This Medicine | The medicine should be taken orally |
Elemental Calcium + Vitamin D3 Uses
Elemental calcium 500 mg + vitamin d3 250 IU is an oral medicine. It is used for the following indications:
- Weak bones especially in conditions like osteoporosis or osteopenia
- Calcium deficiency
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Fracture/bone healing
- Calcium needs in pregnancy and lactation
- Muscle cramps/spasms due to low calcium
- Age-related bone loss in elderly
side effects
More Common
- Constipation
- Bloating or gas
- Nausea
- Stomach pain or discomfort
- Headache
- Metallic taste in mouth
- Increased urination
Less common
- Hypercalcemia (high calcium in blood)
- Hypercalciuria (high calcium in urine)
- Kidney stones
- Kidney impairment
- Severe allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling, breathing difficulty)
- Cardiac arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat)
Directions for use
- Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, regularly at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking medication without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you forget to take the medicine, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s almost time for the next one, then just skip it.
How Elemental Calcium + Vitamin D3 works
Elemental calcium with vitamin D3 works by giving your body the calcium it needs to build and keep bones and teeth strong, while vitamin D3 helps your body absorb that calcium better from food and supplements. Together, they make bones stronger, prevent weakness, reduce the chance of fractures, and also help muscles and nerves work properly.
Interaction with Other Medicines
Avoid taking Elemental calcium + vitamin d3 with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Interaction with Food Product
Avoid foods like spinach, beans, whole grains (high in oxalates/phytates) as it will reduce absorption. Avoid too much dairy or calcium-rich foods as they may increase risk of kidney stones also avoid excess caffeine, alcohol, or salt lower calcium levels.
Storage
- The medicine should be stored at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep away from the reach of children
Intake routine/cycle
Daily dose
Take Elemental calcium + vitamin d3 exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA)
Elemental calcium
The recommended daily amount of Elemental Calcium is 1,000 mg for men aged 19–70 years and women aged 19–50 years. Women above 50 years and men above 70 years need about 1,200 mg per day. It should always be taken only if prescribed by a doctor.
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
The RDA for Vitamin D3 is 600 IU (15 mcg) per day for adults up to 70 years and 800 IU (20 mcg) for those above 70 years. It should be taken only after a doctor’s advice.
Natural Source of Elemental Calcium + Vitamin D3
Elemental Calcium
Elemental calcium is naturally found in milk, cheese, yogurt, leafy greens, nuts, and fish with soft bones like sardines.
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol)
Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is naturally obtained from sunlight, and also from foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, liver, and fortified milk or cereals.
Elemental Calcium + Vitamin D3 Summary
Elemental calcium with vitamin D3 works by providing calcium, the key mineral for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, while vitamin D3 helps the body absorb calcium more effectively from food and supplements. Together, they keep bones healthy, prevent weakness, and support muscle and nerve functions. This combination is mainly used to treat or prevent calcium and vitamin D deficiency, manage weak bones like osteoporosis (brittle bones in adults), rickets (soft, deformed bones in children), and osteomalacia (soft, painful bones in adults), support bone healing after fractures, relieve muscle cramps due to low calcium, and meet increased calcium needs in pregnancy, breastfeeding, or old age.
Common side effects are usually mild and may include constipation, bloating, nausea, stomach discomfort, headache, metallic taste, or increased urination.
FAQ’s
What is Elemental Calcium used for?
It is used to keep bones and teeth strong, prevent and treat calcium deficiency, support bone healing after fractures, relieve muscle cramps caused by low calcium, and prevent bone problems like osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones), rickets (soft, deformed bones in children), or osteomalacia (soft, painful bones in adults).
Can Elemental Calcium be used in pregnancy?
Yes, Elemental Calcium is safe and commonly recommended in pregnancy to meet increased calcium needs. The recommended amount (RDA) for pregnant women is about 1,000 mg per day. However, it should be taken only after a doctor’s advice.
What are some important facts about Element Calcium?
Calcium (symbol Ca, atomic number 20) is a silvery-white alkaline earth metal with valency 2, melting point ~842 °C, boiling point ~1484 °C, density ~1.55 g/cm³, and is found in nature as compounds like limestone, gypsum, and in bones and shells.
What is Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) used for?
It is used to improve calcium absorption (strong bones and teeth), prevent and treat rickets in children (soft, deformed bones), treat osteomalacia in adults (soft, painful bones), manage osteoporosis (weak, brittle bones), support fracture healing, strengthen muscles, and boost immunity.
What are the side effects of Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)?
Side effects may include nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, frequent urination, weakness, headache, and in high doses can cause high calcium levels leading to kidney stones or calcium build-up in organs.
What are the benefits of Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)?
It helps strengthen bones and teeth (by improving calcium absorption), prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults, supports osteoporosis treatment, aids fracture healing, improves muscle strength (reduces falls in elderly), boosts immunity, and supports overall growth and development.
Reference
- DrugBank. Vitamin D3 [Internet]. go.drugbank.com. Available from
- Cholecalciferol (Oral Route) Description and Brand Names – Mayo Clinic [Internet]. www.mayoclinic.org. Available from
- Al-Hashimi N, Abraham S. Cholecalciferol [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from
- Foods High in Vitamin D3 [Internet]. WebMD. Available from
- NHS. Calcium – Vitamins and minerals [Internet]. NHS. 2020. Available from
- ApolloPharmacy [Internet]. Apollopharmacy.in. 2019 [cited 2025 Aug 19]. Available from
- Office of Dietary Supplements – Calcium [Internet]. ods.od.nih.gov. Available from

Pranathi is a final year Pharm D student at Chalapathi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences. She loves learning and applying her knowledge in pharmacy and has a passion for writing, which allows her to express ideas clearly and creatively. She enjoys combining her technical skills with her love for writing and communication to make a meaningful impact. Currently she is working on a research paper about “Consanguineous marriages and its impact on children’s health” which will be published by the end of 2025.