What is calcium Carbonate 500mg Vitamin D3 used for?
In the pharmaceutical industry, the combination of Calcium Carbonate (500 mg) and Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) is the most widely manufactured and cost-effective bone-mineral supplement. As a pharmacist, I view this specific pairing as a fundamental requirement for maintaining skeletal integrity, as Calcium Carbonate provides the highest concentration of elemental calcium by weight.
Primary Clinical Uses
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Osteoporosis & Osteopenia: A core therapy for preventing and treating bone loss, particularly in postmenopausal women and the elderly.
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Hypocalcemia: Used to manage low blood calcium levels in patients with dietary deficiencies or specific medical conditions.
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Pregnancy & Lactation Support: Routinely prescribed to support the rapid skeletal development of the fetus and to prevent the depletion of maternal bone stores.
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Renal Osteodystrophy: In chronic kidney disease, Calcium Carbonate is often used as a phosphate binder to reduce phosphate absorption while providing necessary calcium.
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Rickets & Osteomalacia: Essential for the proper mineralization and hardening of the bone matrix.
Mechanism of Action
Calcium Carbonate (Elemental Calcium ~40%): A 500 mg tablet provides approximately 200 mg of elemental calcium. It works by directly increasing the body’s calcium stores. Unlike Calcium Citrate, this form requires gastric acid for optimal absorption, so it should be taken with food.
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol): Acts as the “key” to the calcium “door.” It increases the intestinal absorption of calcium by stimulating the synthesis of calcium-binding proteins (calbindin). Without D3, a significant portion of the 500 mg dose would pass through the system unabsorbed.
The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Formulation & Export
From a manufacturing and global trade standpoint, Calcium Carbonate + D3 is a high-volume “essential” in any pharmaceutical portfolio:
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Elemental Loading: Because Calcium Carbonate is dense, we can manufacture small, high-potency tablets that are easy for patients to swallow, improving compliance compared to bulkier citrate versions.
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Vitamin D3 Stabilization: D3 is highly sensitive to oxidation. As a WHO-GMP manufacturer, we utilize stabilized D3 beadlets and moisture-proof packaging (such as HDPE bottles or Alu-Alu blisters) to ensure the product remains potent in hot, tropical export markets.
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Cost-Efficiency: Due to the abundance of raw Calcium Carbonate, this formulation is highly price-competitive, making it a staple for government health tenders and B2B distributors in Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
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Regulatory Readiness: Our Mumbai-based hub provides full CTD Dossiers and stability data for Zone IVb, facilitating smooth registration for international pharmaceutical trade.