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November 16, 2025
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Brand Name :
Calphron, PhosLo, Eliphos, Phoslyra
Synonyms :
calcium acetate
Class :
Phosphate binders, Minerals and electrolytes
Dosage Forms & Strengths Â
Capsule/tablet Â
667mg (169mg elemental Ca) Â
Oral solution Â
667mg/5mL Â
Safety and efficacy not established Â
Refer to adult dosingÂ
calcium salts: they may diminish the absorption of quinolones
calcium salts: they may diminish the absorption of quinolones
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
when both drugs are combined, there may be an increased risk or severity of adverse effects  
may diminish the absorption of quinolones
bictegravir: they may diminish the serum concentration of calcium salts
antacids: they may diminish the serum concentration of calcium salts
antacids: they may diminish the serum concentration of calcium salts
antacids: they may diminish the serum concentration of calcium salts
antacids: they may diminish the serum concentration of calcium salts
antacids: they may diminish the serum concentration of calcium salts
dolutegravir: they may diminish the serum concentration of calcium salts
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
may diminish the absorption when combined with phosphate supplements
calcium salts increase the efficacy of calcium acetate
calcium salts increase the efficacy of calcium acetate
calcium salts increase the efficacy of calcium acetate
calcium salts increase the efficacy of calcium acetate
calcium salts increase the efficacy of calcium acetate
calcium salts have the potential to intensify the adverse or toxic effects of calcium acetate
calcium salts have the potential to intensify the adverse or toxic effects of calcium acetate
calcium salts have the potential to intensify the adverse or toxic effects of calcium acetate
calcium salts have the potential to intensify the adverse or toxic effects of calcium acetate
calcium salts have the potential to intensify the adverse or toxic effects of calcium acetate
When both drugs are combined, there may be a decrease in levels of the other by inhibition of GI absorption  
oral form of calcium acetate inhibits the GI absorption of demeclocycline (provide 2 hours difference between both drugs)
oral form of calcium acetate inhibits the GI absorption of doxycycline (provide 2 hours difference between both drugs)
it may increase the risk of adverse effects of Calcium Acetate
calcium salts have the potential to intensify the adverse or toxic effects of calcium acetate
estramustine: they may diminish the absorption of calcium salts
levonorgestrel: they may diminish the serum concentration of calcium salts
may have an increased adverse effect when combined with vitamin D analogs
it may decrease the serum concentration of Minerals
it may decrease the serum concentration of Minerals
it may decrease the serum concentration of Minerals
it may decrease the serum concentration of Minerals
it may decrease the serum concentration of Minerals
may enhance the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides
may enhance the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides
may enhance the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Vitamin D analogs
may increase the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides
may increase the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides
may increase the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides
may increase the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides
may increase the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides
may increase the arrhythmogenic effect of cardiac glycosides
may enhance the adverse/toxic effect of vitamin D analogs
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with calcium channel blockers
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with calcium channel blockers
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with calcium channel blockers
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with calcium channel blockers
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with calcium channel blockers
may decrease the levels of serum concentration of amphetamines
may decrease the levels of serum concentration of amphetamines
may decrease the levels of serum concentration of amphetamines
may decrease the levels of serum concentration of amphetamines
may decrease the levels of serum concentration of amphetamines
It may enhance the levels when combined with sodium polystyrene sulfonate by diminishing renal clearance
It may diminish the effect when combined with manganese by inhibiting the gastrointestinal absorption
they decrease the efficacy of calcium channel blockers
they decrease the efficacy of calcium channel blockers
they decrease the efficacy of calcium channel blockers
they decrease the efficacy of calcium channel blockers
they decrease the efficacy of calcium channel blockers
calcium salts: they may decrease the therapeutic effect of laxatives
calcium salts: they may decrease the therapeutic effect of laxatives
calcium salts: they may decrease the therapeutic effect of laxatives
calcium salts: they may decrease the therapeutic effect of laxatives
sodium picosulfate, citric acid, and magnesium oxide
calcium salts: they may decrease the therapeutic effect of laxatives
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with calcium channel blockers
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with calcium channel blockers
may decrease the therapeutic effect when combined with calcium channel blockers
may diminish the excretion when combined with thiazide diuretics
may diminish the excretion when combined with thiazide diuretics
the chances of adverse effects may be elevated when cholecalciferol is combined with calcium acetate
calcium acetate: it may increase the risk or severity of QTc prolongation
calcium acetate: it may increase the risk or severity of QTc prolongation
calcium acetate: it may increase the risk or severity of QTc prolongation
calcium acetate: it may increase the risk or severity of QTc prolongation
calcium acetate: it may increase the risk or severity of QTc prolongation
combining calcipotriol with calcium acetate may elevate the risk or intensity of adverse effects
spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide
may diminish the excretion of thiazide diuretics
may diminish the excretion of thiazide diuretics
may diminish the excretion of thiazide diuretics
may diminish the excretion of thiazide diuretics
may diminish the excretion of thiazide diuretics
when both drugs are combined, there may be a decreased effect of omadacycline by inhibition of gi absorption
calcium salts reduces the efficacy of dobutamine
thiazides reduce the systemic absorption of calcium salts
thiazides reduce the systemic absorption of calcium salts
thiazides reduce the systemic absorption of calcium salts
thiazides reduce the systemic absorption of calcium salts
may decrease the effects of the drug by GI absorption inhibition
may increase the toxic effect of Vitamin D analogs
may decrease the therapeutic effect of calcium channel blockers
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may decrease the levels of serum concentration
may increase the toxic effect when combined
The therapeutic efficacy of dobutamine may be diminished when used concurrently with calcium salts
calcium salts can increase the adverse and potentially toxic effects of Vitamin D Analogs
thiazide: they may enhance the serum concentration when combined with calcium salts
thiazide: they may enhance the serum concentration when combined with calcium salts
thiazide: they may enhance the serum concentration when combined with calcium salts
thiazide: they may enhance the serum concentration when combined with calcium salts
folic acid decreases the absorption of calcium salts in the blood stream
antacids: they may diminish the absorption of calcium salts
may decrease the therapeutic effect of calcium salts
may decrease the therapeutic effect of calcium salts
may decrease the therapeutic effect of calcium salts
may decrease the therapeutic effect of calcium salts
may decrease the therapeutic effect of calcium salts
may diminish the excretion when combined with calcium salts
may diminish the excretion when combined with calcium salts
may decrease the therapeutic effect of calcium salts
may decrease the therapeutic effect of calcium salts
the risk of adverse effects may be increased
the risk or intensity of unfavorable effects can be heightened when tacalcitol is coupled with calcium acetate
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
may decrease the concentration of thyroid products in serum
Actions and SpectrumÂ
calcium acetate is a chemical compound with the formula Ca(C2H3O2)2. It is a white, crystalline solid that is soluble in water.Â
Actions:Â
Spectrum:Â
Frequency Defined Â
Frequency Not Defined Â
Hypomagnesemia Â
Hypotension Â
Hypophosphatemia Â
Nausea Â
Weakness Â
Arrhythmias Â
Pruritus (rare) Â
Hypercalcemia Â
 Â
Contraindications:Â
Cautions:Â
 Â
Pregnancy warnings:    Â
US FDA pregnancy category: CÂ
Lactation:  Â
Excreted into human milk is unknown Â
Pregnancy Categories:        Â
Category A: well-controlled and Satisfactory studies show no risk to the fetus in the first or later trimester.   Â
Category B: there was no evidence of risk to the fetus in animal studies, and there were not enough studies on pregnant women.  Â
Category C: there was evidence of risk of adverse effects in animal reproduction studies, and no adequate evidence in human studies must take care of potential risks in pregnant women.    Â
Category D: adequate data available with sufficient evidence of human fetal risk from various platforms, but despite the potential risk, and used only in emergency cases for potential benefits.    Â
Category X: Drugs listed in this category outweigh the risks over benefits. Hence these categories of drugs need to be avoided by pregnant women.    Â
Category N: There is no data available for the drug under this categoryÂ
Pharmacology: Â
calcium acetate is a medication that is used to control high levels of phosphate in the blood in individuals with kidney disease. It works by binding to phosphate in the intestine and preventing its absorption into the body. Pharmacodynamics: Â
Calcium acetate acts by inhibiting the enzyme alkaline phosphatase, which is responsible for the hydrolysis of phosphate in the gut. By inhibiting this enzyme, calcium acetate decreases the amount of phosphate that is absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to a decrease in phosphate levels in the blood.Â
Calcium acetate also has an effect on bone metabolism by increasing the synthesis of osteocalcin, a protein that is involved in the formation of bone. This can lead to an increase in bone density and strength, which may be beneficial in patients with kidney disease who are at risk for osteoporosis.Â
Pharmacokinetics: Â
Absorption  Â
calcium acetate is poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with an estimated bioavailability of only 5-10%. It is more effectively absorbed when taken with food, particularly when taken with a meal high in calcium. Â
Distribution Â
After absorption, calcium acetate is distributed throughout the body, with higher concentrations found in bones and teeth. Â
Metabolism Â
calcium acetate is not metabolized in the body and is excreted unchanged. Â
Elimination and excretion Â
calcium acetate is primarily excreted through the feces. Some of the calcium is also excreted through the urine. 
Administration: Â
Oral Administration: Â
calcium acetate is typically administered orally in the form of a capsule or tablet. It can also be given intravenously in a hospital setting. Â
It is important to follow the dosing instructions provided by a healthcare provider or pharmacist and to take the medication exactly as prescribed. Â
It is usually taken with food to decrease the risk of stomach upset. It is important to drink plenty of fluids while taking calcium acetate to prevent constipation. Â
It is also important to avoid taking calcium supplements within two hours of taking other medications, as calcium can interfere with the absorption of certain drugs. Â
Missed doseÂ
If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule should be resumed. It is important not to take extra doses or take the medication more frequently than prescribed.Â
Patient information leafletÂ
Generic Name: calcium acetate Â
Why do we use calcium acetate?Â
calcium acetate is used to treat hyperphosphatemia, a condition in which there is an excess of phosphate in the blood. It works by binding to phosphate in the gastrointestinal tract, preventing it from being absorbed into the body. This helps to lower the level of phosphate in the blood and prevent complications associated with high phosphate levels, such as bone disease, kidney damage, and cardiovascular problems. calcium acetate is often used in conjunction with other medications to manage hyperphosphatemia in individuals with kidney disease or those on dialysis. It may also be used to treat conditions such as primary hyperparathyroidism, where the parathyroid gland produces too much parathyroid hormone, leading to high phosphate levels in the blood.Â
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