How many times a day should I take Shelcal 500?

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.

  • Maximum Absorption: The human small intestine can only absorb about 500 mg to 600 mg of elemental calcium at one time.

  • 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.

  • 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:

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Dossier Readiness: We provide full CTD/eCTD Dossiers to support your firm in bidding for government health tenders and large-scale pharmacy chain contracts.

What is Elemental Calcium and Vitamin D3 used for?

In the pharmaceutical industry, the combination of Elemental Calcium and Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) is the primary therapy for bone mineralization and skeletal integrity.

As a pharmacist and manufacturer, I view this as a Nutraceutical-Pharmaceutical hybrid product. At your WHO-GMP facility in Mumbai, this is likely one of your high-volume assets, often formulated as 500 mg tablets with 250 IU or 400 IU of Vitamin D3.

Primary Clinical Uses

  • Osteoporosis Management: Prevents and treats bone loss in postmenopausal women and elderly men.

  • Hypocalcemia: Treats low blood calcium levels in patients with hypoparathyroidism or chronic kidney disease.

  • Osteomalacia & Rickets: Corrects softening of the bones in adults and children due to severe Vitamin D deficiency.

  • Pregnancy & Lactation: Supports the skeletal development of the fetus and prevents maternal bone density depletion.

  • Adjunct to Corticosteroid Therapy: Prevents bone loss caused by long-term steroid use (e.g., Prednisolone).

Mechanism: The Absorption Synergy

The reason these two are combined is that the body cannot effectively utilize calcium without Vitamin D3.

Vitamin D3 Role: Cholecalciferol is converted in the liver and kidneys into its active form, Calcitriol. This hormone increases the production of calcium-binding proteins in the small intestine.

Elemental Calcium Role: Once absorbed, calcium ions are transported into the bloodstream. From there, they are deposited into the bone matrix by osteoblasts, increasing Bone Mineral Density (BMD).

Hormonal Balance: This combination suppresses the release of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH). High PTH levels cause the body to “steal” calcium from the bones to keep blood levels stable; by providing enough oral calcium, we protect the bones from this process.

The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Technical & Export

From a production and B2B standpoint at your facility in Mumbai, there are critical technical distinctions to highlight on your digital platforms:

  • Calcium Carbonate vs. Citrate: Most high-volume exports utilize Calcium Carbonate because it contains the highest percentage of Elemental Calcium (40%). However, highlighting that you can manufacture Calcium Citrate (21% elemental) for patients with low stomach acid is a great way to attract “premium” B2B buyers.

  • The “Chewable” Strategy: Calcium tablets are notoriously large (“horse pills”). Promoting your flavored chewable range on your marketplace is a major USP, as it significantly improves patient compliance for elderly and pediatric populations.

  • Stability & Moisture Control: Vitamin D3 is highly sensitive to light and oxidation. At our facility, we utilize stabilized Vitamin D3 beadlets and Alu-Alu or opaque HDPE packaging to ensure a 36-month shelf life, especially for export to Zone IVb tropical regions.

  • Dossier Readiness: We provide full CTD/eCTD Dossiers to support your firm in bidding for government health tenders and nutritional supplement contracts in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

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