Safety and Understanding Calcium Supplements

Understanding calcium supplements are tricky. Not all calcium supplements are the same.

 

  • Your doctor has recommended a calcium supplement on discharge. 

  • After you digest food and liquids, your body breaks down the calcium supplement to release the elemental calcium. Only the elemental amount is absorbed into your body. 

  • Your discharge paperwork will have your calcium supplement listed as TOTAL calcium, not elemental calcium. 

  • The way calcium is labeled at the store or pharmacy uses ELEMENTAL calcium. 

 
You will need to look at the label on the back of the bottle to know how much elemental calcium is provided per tablet/capsule or pill and then convert from what is on your discharge instructions. 
 
Conversion table for calcium supplements: 

Calcium formulation

Total (on discharge instructions)

 

Elemental (what is on supplements in the pharmacy)

Calcium citrate

950mg

=

200mg

Calcium carbonate

1250mg

=

500mg

  
EXAMPLE:
My discharge paperwork says: Take 3 tabs of calcium citrate (950mg tabs) twice daily
*950mg is the TOTAL amount, this = 200mg elemental calcium per tab
When I get to the store, I will look for calcium citrate 200mg or 600mg on the bottle. 
I will take (3) 200mg tabs twice daily or take (1) 600mg tab twice daily
 
     
If you have further questions show your pharmacist this handout and your discharge instructions and they can help you find the right supplement.