Calphron

Calcium is a mineral that is important for many body functions, particularly for building and maintaining bones. Calcium can also attach to other minerals like phosphate and help remove them from the body.

Calphron is used to manage phosphate levels and prevent them from becoming too high in people with kidney failure who are on dialysis.

Calphron may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may sometimes change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as instructed.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Take the capsule with food.

You may need to keep a food diary to track how much calcium you are getting in your diet.

You may need regular medical tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor see if Calphron is working.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use Calphron if you have high levels of calcium in your blood.

You should not use Calphron if you are allergic to it, or if you have high levels of calcium in your blood.

Tell your doctor if:

• your kidney disease gets worse; or
• you also take digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether Calphron will harm an unborn baby, but having kidney failure or developing hypercalcemia during pregnancy may cause complications for both the baby and the mother. The benefit of using this medicine during pregnancy may outweigh any risks.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Calphron is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Calphron may cause serious side effects. Stop using Calphron and call your doctor immediately if you have:

• high levels of calcium in your blood--nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, confusion, lack of energy, or feeling tired.

Common side effects of Calphron may include:

• increased calcium in the blood
• nausea; or
• diarrhea.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as possible, but skip the dose you missed if it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at once.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Do not take extra calcium supplements unless your doctor has instructed you to.

Check with your doctor before using an antacid, and only use the type your doctor recommends. Some antacids have calcium in them.

If you take any of the following medicines, take them separately from your dose of calcium acetate:

• A fluoroquinolone antibiotic: Take your Calphron dose 6 hours before or 2 hours after you take an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, levofloxacin, Cipro, or Levaquin.
• A tetracycline antibiotic: Take your Calphron dose 1 hour before or 1 hour after you take an antibiotic such as doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, Doryx, or Oracea.
• Thyroid medication: Take your Calphron dose 4 hours before or 4 hours after you take the thyroid medicine.

Other drugs may affect Calphron, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.