In the pharmaceutical industry, Shelcal 500 is a leading brand of Calcium Carbonate (500 mg Elemental Calcium) and Vitamin D3 (250 IU). As a pharmacist and manufacturer, I can tell you that the frequency of dosing is determined by the “Saturation Point” of human calcium absorption.
For most adults, the standard dosage is one tablet, once or twice daily.
The “500 mg Rule” (Pharmacist’s Insight)
As a manufacturer at your WHO-GMP facility in Mumbai, you know that the body’s efficiency in absorbing calcium decreases as the dose increases.
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Maximum Absorption: The human small intestine can only absorb about 500 mg to 600 mg of elemental calcium at one time.
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The Dosing Strategy: If a doctor prescribes 1000 mg daily, taking two Shelcal 500 tablets at the same time is wasteful. It is far more effective to split the dose: one in the morning and one in the evening.
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With Food: Shelcal 500 (Calcium Carbonate) requires stomach acid for optimal absorption. It should always be taken after a meal.
Standard Dosing by Requirement
| User Profile | Typical Frequency | Clinical Goal |
| General Supplementation | Once daily (500 mg) | Maintenance of bone health. |
| Pregnancy / Lactation | Once or Twice daily | Support fetal skeletal growth and maternal density. |
| Osteoporosis / Elderly | Twice daily (1000 mg) | Treatment of bone loss and fracture prevention. |
Mechanism of Action: The Calcium-D3 Synergy
Shelcal works through a dual-mechanism to ensure the calcium actually reaches the bones:
Ionization: In the presence of stomach acid, Calcium Carbonate dissolves into ionized calcium.
D3-Mediated Transport: Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) stimulates the production of calbindin, a protein that “carries” calcium across the intestinal wall into the bloodstream.
Deposition: Once in the blood, the calcium is utilized for muscle contraction and heart rhythm, with the excess being deposited into the bone matrix by osteoblasts.
The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Technical & Export
From a production and B2B standpoint at your facility, Shelcal-type generics are strategic “Bread and Butter” products:
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The “Elemental” USP: On your digital platforms and marketplace, always emphasize that your tablet contains 500 mg of ACTUAL Elemental Calcium (from 1250 mg of Calcium Carbonate). This technical clarity is highly valued by international B2B buyers who compare generic dossiers.
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Formulation Stability: Vitamin D3 is prone to degradation. At our facility, we use stabilized Vitamin D3 granules to ensure the label claim remains accurate throughout the 36-month shelf life, even in tropical Zone IVb climates.
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Packaging Advice: For export to high-humidity regions, we recommend Alu-Alu blister packaging or HDPE bottles with induction sealing to protect the integrity of the Cholecalciferol.
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Dossier Readiness: We provide full CTD/eCTD Dossiers to support your firm in bidding for government health tenders and large-scale pharmacy chain contracts.