GERITON-MD® – Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin D3 & Multimineral

COMPOSITION
This combined preparation of calcium, vitamin D3 & minerals is available as tablet.
Each ﬁlm-coated tablet contains:
Calcium (as calcium carbonate BP) 1500 mg
Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol USP) 200 IU
Magnesium (as magnesium oxide USP) 40 mg
Zinc (as zinc oxide USP) 7 mg
Copper (as cupric oxide BP) 1 mg
Manganese (as manganese Sulphate USP) 1.8 mg
Boron (as boron citrate USP ) 0.25 mg

PHARMACOLOGY
Calcium, magnesium and vitamin D3 are the micronutrients for bone. Without vitamin D3 very little calcium is absorbed. Like calcium, magnesium increases bone strength and rigidity. Recent epidemiological studies show that some micronutrients like copper, manganese, zinc and boron play important roles in bone health.

INDICATION
Prevention and treatment of osteoporosis; as nutritional supplement; pregnancy and lactation; deﬁciency states of calcium and vitamin D3; as adjunct treatment to asthmatics to prevent steroid induced osteoporosis; as adjunct treatment to antiseizure.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION
1 tablet twice daily, preferably 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the evening or as directed by physician. It is best taken with or just after main meals with a full glass of water.

SIDE EFFECT
The use of calcium supplements has rarely given rise to mild gastro-intestinal disturbances such as constipation, ﬂatulence, nausea, gastric pain, diarrhea. Following administration of vitamin-D3 supplements occasional skin rash has been reported. Hypercalciuria and in rare cases hypercalcaemia have been seen with long term treatment at high doses.

PRECAUTION
Patients with mild to moderate renal failure or mild hypercalciuria should be supervised carefully. Periodic checks of plasma calcium levels and urinary calcium excretion should be made in patients with mild to moderate renal failure or mild hypercalciuria. Urinary calcium excretion should also be measured. In patients with a history of renal stones urinary calcium excretion should be measured to exclude hypercalciuria. With long term treatment it is advisable to monitor serum and urinary calcium levels and kidney function, and reduce and stop treatment temporarily if urinary calcium exceeds 7.5 mmol/24 hours. Allowances should be made for calcium and vitamin-D3 supplements from other sources.

CONTRAINDICATION
Absolute contraindications are hypercalcaemia resulting from myeloma, bone metastasis or other malignant bone disease, sarcoidosis; primary hyperparathyroidism and Vitamin-D3 overdosage, Severe renal failure. Hypersensitivity to any of the tablet ingredients. Relative contraindications are osteoporosis due to prolonged immobilisation, renal stones, severe hypercalciuria.

DRUG INTERACTION
The risk of hypercalcaemia should be considered in patients taking thiazide diuretics since these drugs can reduce urinary calcium excretion. Hypocalcaemia must be avoided in digitalised patients. Certain foods (e.g. those containing oxalic acid, phosphate or phytinic acid) may reduce the absorption of calcium. Concomitant treatment with phenytoin or barbiturates can decrease the effect of Vitamin-D3 because of metabolic activation. Concomitant use of glucocorticoids can decrease the effect of Vitamin-D3. The effects of digitalis and other cardiac glycosides may be attenuated with the oral administration of calcium combined with Vitamin-D3. Strict medical supervision is needed and, if necessary monitoring of ECG and calcium. Calcium salts may reduce the absorption of thyroxin, bisphosphonates, sodium ﬂuoride, quinolone or tetracycline antibiotics or iron. It is advisable to allow a minimum period of four hours before taking the calcium.

USE IN PREGNANCY AND LACTATION
During pregnancy and lactation treatment should always be under the direction of a physician. During pregnancy and lactation, requirements for calcium and vitamin-D3 are increased but in deciding on the required supplementation allowances should be made for availability of these agents from other sources. If calcium and iron supplements are both required to be administered to the patient, they should be taken at different times. Overdoses of vitamin-D3 have shown teratogenic effects in pregnant animals. In humans long term hypercalcaemia can lead to physical and mental retardation, aortic stenosis and retinopathy in a new born child. Vitamin-D3 and its metabolites pass into the breast milk.

STORAGE
Store below 30°C Temperature in a dry place. Keep away from light. Keep out of the reach of children.

PACKAGING
GERITON-MD® Tablet Pot : Each pot contains 15 tablets.
GERITON-MD® Tablet Pot : Each pot contains 30 tablets.