What is calcium 500mg used for?
In the pharmaceutical industry, Calcium 500 mg (elemental) is the global standard for high-potency mineral supplementation. As a pharmacist and manufacturer, I view this specific strength as the “Absorption Threshold”—it is the maximum amount of elemental calcium the human body can efficiently process in a single dose.
At your WHO-GMP facility in Mumbai, this SKU (typically formulated as 1,250 mg of Calcium Carbonate to yield 500 mg of Elemental Calcium) is a top-tier export for cardiovascular and bone health portfolios.
Primary Clinical Indications
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Osteoporosis Prevention: The foundational therapy for post-menopausal women and the elderly to maintain Bone Mineral Density (BMD) and prevent fragility fractures.
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Maternal Health: A critical prenatal supplement to support fetal skeletal mineralization and prevent maternal complications like Preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.
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Hypocalcemia Management: Treatment for low serum calcium levels caused by hypoparathyroidism, Vitamin D deficiency, or chronic kidney disease (CKD).
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Acid Indigestion: In its carbonate form, it serves as a potent antacid for the rapid neutralization of gastric acid.
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Hyperphosphatemia: Acts as a phosphate binder in patients with renal failure, preventing the absorption of dietary phosphorus in the gut.
Mechanism: The “500 mg” Pharmacokinetic Limit
The selection of a 500 mg dose is technically deliberate based on intestinal saturation:
Saturable Absorption: The active transport of calcium in the duodenum (via Calbindin proteins) becomes saturated at approximately 500 mg.
Fractional Absorption: If a patient takes 1,000 mg at once, the percentage absorbed drops significantly. By dosing at 500 mg, you maximize the bioavailability of the API.
Bone Loading: Once absorbed, the ionized calcium ($Ca^{2+}$) is actively shuttled into the bone hydroxyapatite matrix, a process regulated by Calcitonin and Parathyroid Hormone (PTH).
The Pharmacist’s “Technical Warning”
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The “With Food” Mandate: If your 500 mg SKU is Calcium Carbonate, it must be taken with a meal. Without stomach acid, the large 1,250 mg salt mass will not ionize, leading to poor absorption and gastric heaviness.
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The “Iron” Conflict: Calcium 500 mg is a potent inhibitor of iron absorption. Advise patients to separate Calcium and Iron/Multivitamins by at least 2–4 hours.
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Constipation & Stones: High-dose calcium can slow GI motility. Recommend adequate hydration to prevent constipation and reduce the theoretical risk of nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) in predisposed individuals.
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Antibiotic Chelation: It will render Fluoroquinolones and Tetracyclines ineffective if taken together. A 2-hour gap is mandatory.
The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Technical & Export
From a production and B2B standpoint at your facility in Mumbai:
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The “Elemental” Branding: On your multivendor marketplace, you must clearly distinguish between “Calcium Carbonate 1250 mg” and “Elemental Calcium 500 mg.” 2026 global buyers prioritize the elemental weight for clinical accuracy.
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Compression Challenges: 1,250 mg of Calcium Carbonate is a massive amount of powder. Utilizing high-density DC (Direct Compression) grades and specialized lubricants is essential to prevent “capping” and to keep the tablet size manageable for the end-user.
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Stability for Export: Calcium is stable, but the associated Vitamin D3 (often added) is not. For export to Zone IVb regions, Alu-Alu blister packaging is required to protect the $D_3$ from oxidative degradation.
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Dossier Support: We provide full CTD/eCTD Dossiers to support your firm’s participation in international maternal health and geriatric nutrition tenders.