GEXCAL
Calcium Carbonate, Vitamin K2-7 (Menaquinone-7) & Calcitriol CapsulesMARKETER: Syngex Pharma Pvt Ltd
SALT COMPOSITION: Calcitriol, Calcium Carbonate, and Menaquinone
USES OF GEXCAL
To manage osteoporosis
HOW GEXCAL TABLET WORKS
GEXCAL helps in managing bone weakening, where calcitriol plays a very important role in aiding the absorption of calcium by acting on certain gut cells to increase the production of calcium transport proteins, whereas calcium carbonate acts by directly increasing the calcium stores in the body.
Vitamin K activates the calcium-binding actions of two proteins (the matrix GLA protein and osteocalcin), which helps in enhancing calcium absorption in the body, thereby increasing bone mass and strength.
INTRODUCTION ABOUT GEXCAL TABLET
GEXCAL is a combination of Calcitriol, Calcium Carbonate, and Menaquinone, which belongs to the group of medicines called Nutritional Supplements. It is used to manage osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the thinning and weakening of bones because of the excessive absorption of calcium from the bones. It is characterised by symptoms such as bleeding gums, weak grip strength, brittle fingernails, loss of height, frequent fractures, and neck and back pain.
GEXCAL is not recommended for use if you are allergic to calcitriol or calcium. It is also not recommended for use if you have kidney stones, hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium levels), or evidence of vitamin D toxicity.
GEXCAL should be used with caution in cases of hepatic insufficiency, nephrotic diseases (a kidney disease causing excess protein in your urine), chronic renal failure, and a high tendency to get kidney stones. GEXCAL should also be used with caution in patients undergoing dialysis.
GEXCAL should be used with caution by pregnant women only if necessary. GEXCAL is not recommended to be used by breastfeeding women. It should be used with caution in children (under 6 years of age) and elderly patients (aged 65 years or older). Consult your doctor before taking it.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE
Take GEXCAL as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water with food. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight, and disease condition.
SIDE EFFECTS OF GEXCAL TABLET
COMMON SIDE EFFECTS:
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Upset stomach
- Abdominal pain
UNCOMMON SIDE EFFECTS :
- Excessive amounts of calcium in the blood or your urine
RARE SIDE EFFECTS:
- Flatulence
- Indigestion
OTHERS
Stop taking GEXCAL and contact your doctor if you experience any of the following side effects:
- Signs of high blood calcium levels, such as stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and constipation
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Headache
- Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
- Unusual tiredness
- Weakness
HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS
Constipation
Try to eat more high-fiber foods, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and cereals, and drink plenty of water. Try doing exercise regularly (going for a daily walk or run). If this does not help, inform your doctor about receiving alternate managements for constipation.
Diarrhea
Drink lots of fluids, such as water, to keep yourself hydrated. Try to avoid taking any medicine on your own to manage diarrhea and consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.
Stomach Pain
Try to take GEXCAL with or just after a meal or a snack. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food. Consult your doctor if the symptom gets worse.
WARNING & PRECAUTIONS
PREGNANCY
MONITORING REQUIRED
GEXCAL should be used with caution in pregnant women only if considered necessary. Consult and inform your doctor before taking it.
BREASTFEEDING
CONTRAINDICATED
GEXCAL is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women as it passes through the milk. Consult your doctor before taking it.
DRIVING AND USING MACHINES
USE WITH CAUTION
GEXCAL has no or negligible effect on your ability to drive or use machines.
KIDNEY
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
GEXCAL is not recommended for use if you have kidney stones. It should be used with caution in patients with nephrotic diseases (a kidney disease causing an excess of protein in your urine), chronic renal failure, and a high tendency to get kidney stones. It should also be used with caution in patients undergoing dialysis. Consult your doctor for advice before taking it.
LIVER
USE WITH CAUTION
GEXCAL should be used with caution in patients with hepatic insufficiency. Consult your doctor before taking it.
ALLERGY
CONTRAINDICATED
GEXCAL is not recommended for use if you are allergic to calcitriol, calcium, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine. Consult your doctor before taking it.
USE IN PEDIATRICS
USE WITH CAUTION
GEXCAL should be used with caution in children (below 6 years). Consult your doctor before taking it.
USE IN GERIATRICS
USE WITH CAUTION
GEXCAL should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged above 65 years). Consult your doctor before taking it.
OTHERS
GEXCAL is not recommended for use if you:
- Have hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium levels) or evidence of vitamin D toxicity
Before taking GEXCAL, inform your doctor if you:
- Are immobilised patients or have undergone surgery
- Have a high serum phosphorus level
- Have cancer or any other conditions that may affect bones
INTERACTIONS
Drug-Drug Interactions:
Before taking GEXCAL, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Magnesium-containing antacids (medicines used to manage acidity) Ex. magnesium carbonate
- Digitalis (a medicine used to manage an irregular heartbeat)
- Barbiturates (a medicine used to manage depression) Ex. phenobarbital
- Anticonvulsants (medicines used to manage seizures) Ex. carbamazepine
- Cholestyramine (medicines used to lower blood cholesterol levels)
- Calcium channel blockers (medicines used to manage raised blood pressure) Ex. verapamil
- Hormonal preparations (medicines used to manage hormonal imbalances in women) Ex. oestrogens
- Etidronate (a medicine used to manage Paget’s disease)
- Gallium (a medicine used to manage certain cancers and calcium disorders)
- Phenytoin (a medicine used to manage seizures)
- Broad-spectrum antibiotics (medicines used to manage bacterial infections) tetracyclines (Ex. doxycycline), fluoroquinolones (Ex. levofloxacin), cephalosporins (Ex. cefdinir), and quinolone antibiotics (Ex. ciprofloxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, and sparfloxacin)
- Salicylates (medicines used to manage pain and inflammation) Ex. diclofenac
- Anticoagulants (medicines used to delay clotting) Ex. heparin, warfarin
- Thiazides (medicines used to manage high blood pressure) Ex. chlorothiazide
- Ketoconazole (a medicine used to manage infections caused by fungi)
- Corticosteroids (medicines used to manage inflammation) Ex. dexamethasone
- Phosphate-binding agents (medicines used to manage phosphorus absorption in the body) Ex. sevelamer
- Vitamin D, calcium, iron, zinc, and strontium ranelate preparations
- Levothyroxine (a hormonal preparation used to manage thyroid deficiency)
- Bisphosphonates (medicines used to manage bone problems) Ex. zoledronic acid
OVERDOSAGE
If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much of GEXCAL, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose are raised blood calcium levels (increased thirst, frequent urination, stomach pain, nausea, bone pain, muscle weakness, confusion, and fatigue), excess calcium in the urine (blood in urine, pain while urinating), hyperphosphatemia (muscle cramps and numbness), nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, tiredness, mental disturbances, lack of appetite, bone pain, kidney problems, irregular heartbeat, irritability, continuing headache, light-headedness, muscle spasms, twitches, and tingling sensation.
SYNOPSIS
Drug : Calcitriol, Calcium Carbonate, and Menaquinone
Pharmacological Category : Nutritional supplements
Therapeutic Indication : Osteoporosis
Dosage Forms : Tablet, Capsule
MORE INFORMATION
- Keep GEXCAL out of the reach of children
- Store GEXCAL at room temperature
FAQs ABOUT GEXCAL TABLET
GEXCAL is used to manage osteoporosis, which is a condition that causes thinning and weakening of bones because of excessive absorption of calcium from the bones. It is characterised by symptoms such as bleeding gums, weak grip strength, brittle fingernails, loss of height, frequent fractures, and neck and back pain.
If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much GEXCAL, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of an overdose are increased blood calcium levels (increased thirst, frequent urination, stomach pain, nausea, bone pain, muscle weakness, confusion, and fatigue), excess calcium in the urine (blood in urine, pain while urinating), hyperphosphatemia (muscle cramps and numbness), nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, tiredness, mental disturbances, lack of appetite, bone pain, kidney problems, an irregular heartbeat, irritability, a continuing headache, lightheadedness, and muscle spasms, twitches, and a tingling sensation are also symptoms.
The common side effects associated with the use of GEXCAL are diarrhoea, constipation, an upset stomach, and abdominal pain. Contact your doctor or a nearby hospital if any of the conditions worsen.
GEXCAL is not recommended for use if you are allergic to calcitriol or calcium. It is also not recommended for use if you have kidney stones, hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium levels), or evidence of vitamin D toxicity. It is not recommended to be used by breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before taking it.
GEXCAL should be used with caution in children (below 6 years) and elderly patients (aged 65 years or older). Your doctor will determine the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight, and disease condition.
GEXCAL helps in managing bone weakening, where calcitriol plays a very important role in aiding the absorption of calcium by acting on certain gut cells to increase the production of calcium transport proteins, whereas calcium carbonate acts by directly increasing the calcium stores in the body. Vitamin K activates the calcium-binding actions of two proteins (the matrix GLA protein and osteocalcin), which helps in enhancing calcium absorption in the body, thereby increasing bone mass and strength.
Take GEXCAL as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water and food. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will determine the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight, and disease condition.
If you forgot to take your GEXCAL dose, take it as early as possible. Do not double up the dose to make up for the forgotten one. Consult your doctor before taking it.