INFORMATION ABOUT ADCAL D3 tablets.

[Leymay24]

I have been prescribed these tablets. Like some of you I would like more information about why Spinach, Rhubarb etc., are banned when taking these tablets. This may seem like a silly question, but are there any other vegetables such as brocolli, sprouts etc., safe to eat. Its stupid saying what you can't eat, and not explaining why. It makes life complicated wondering just when to swallow these tablets. I don't always have my meals at the same time each day. Is anyone else a bit puzzled about these tablets ?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Spinach and rhubarb are amongst the veggies that have high levels of oxalic acid in them. If you eat them at the same time as you take your Adcal that binds with the calcium in the gut and so the calcium isn't absorbed. That's all.

You can eat anything else and you can eat them if you don't eat them at the same time as taking the Adcal. You also should not take calcium and pred at the same time. But you only need 2-3 hours between - it isn't a total ban. And don't take more than about 500mg of calcium at a time, the body only absorbs up to 600mg at a time

So, basically: pred for breakfast, calcium for lunch and afternoon tea/dinner/supper. Which should allow 2-3 hours between any of the problem substances. I've yet to meet anyone who eats them at every meal or even every day. Small amounts now and again probably don't make a significant difference anyway.

Don't overthink it all!!!

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Hi. Can you please explain further why you can’t take Pred and calcium at the same time ? I didn’t know and have been taking my adcal with my prednisolone

Thanks Karey

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

For exactly the same reason - the pred reduces the amount of calcium absorbed. Which isn't helpful. Pred for breakfast, calcium for lunch and another meal - since you need a bit of fat to act as a carrier.

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Well I’ve probably just wasted 1 month of adcal tablets. Nobody explained that to me.

Thank you 😊

Karey

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

I doubt it was a waste - loads of people will have done the same. Though I'm sure it is in the data sheet from most companies. However - it only reduces the amount absorbed, probably doesn't stop it altogether.

[Singr in reply to PMRpro]

I was on to support group who told me I should be on a tablet in addition to adcal for avoidance of osteoporosis. It should be taken once a week. I have thrown out the paper I wrote it on. Any idea what this might be.

[HeronNS in reply to Singr]

Singr, It was probably alendronic acid, a bisphosphonate, and you mustn't take it "just because". You would need to have a bone density scan (DXA scan) first to determine whether you really need any intervention to help your bones. And even if you do there are other methods of maintaining and improving bone density besides medication

[HeronNS in reply to Hidden]

Like PMRpro says it probably isn't a big deal, now that you've caught it, but I remember how disgusted I was that I didn't know - for the first three months when I was at my highest dose of pred, I was happily popping my calcium at the same time. That, I figure, is when I most needed the calcium supplement, and my bones were most at risk from pred effects. It's a significant enough issue that rather than expecting us to catch this particular issue from wading through the product info either the doctor or the pharmacist should actually tell us, or put a sticker on the bottle, next to the "take with food" one. Especially as we are nearly all told to take a calcium supplement when we are on pred.

[Hidden in reply to HeronNS]

Exactly. When you leave the pharmacy with a bag full of tablets when previously only barely taken paracetamols. A steer from somebody would be nice. Great support again from this forum. So thankful I found it

Get GCA results next week 🤞

Karey x

[Singr in reply to PMRpro]

I'm exactly the same. No wonder my hair is thinning, nails crumbling. Goodness knows what state my teeth and bones are getting into. I've been taking my pred and adcal together since last sept. Not to mention the Omeprasole and HRT tablet all together. You need to be a bloomin genius to work way through this.

[Hidden]

Thanks for asking this. I have just got my prescription for adcal. Good to know why.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Never bothered me..Not overkeen on spinach, only eat it occasionally - and I’m allergic to rhubarb, so that’s a no-no anyway!

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

The best thing rhubarb has going in its favour is it can polish up the inside of a stainless steel pot a treat if you cook the rhubarb long enough....

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

Actually as a child I used to like (sort of) rhubarb crumble until I got to about 15years old when after eating it a couple of time I had an anaphylactic episode. That was the end of that and never eaten it since.

I did make crumble for hubby and kids though, so I can touch it, but not eat it!

I do get some funny looks when I’m asked if I’m allergic to anything and I say rhubarb, bit better nowadays because of the nut allergy thing, but years ago I always had to explain.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Can't buy it here although you will find it in posher restaurants - I love rhubarb crumble...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Don’t you always go to them then? ....you’ve shattered my illusions 😏 oh Contessa!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

But of course - but not EVERY day. And their desserts are always a bit dainty!!!!!!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Rhubarb crumble ...dainty!!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

It is here - 3 small pieces of rhubarb and 4 grains of crumble, all laid out artistically on a coulis of rhubarb or custard with a small scoop of icecream...

[HeronNS in reply to DorsetLady]

DorsetLady, did you know that rhubarb is related to buckwheat? Was thinking it unusual for someone to be allergic to rhubarb, but on further consideration perhaps not, considering rhubarb leaves are toxic, and some kinds of buckwheat can cause photosensitivity.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to HeronNS]

Hi, no I didn’t know that! You are a mine of information 😊.

As for being unusual....well that’s my middle name 😏

[Ellsberry]

Yes I'm totally confused. Sick of google never quite giving the answer.

[Ellsberry in reply to Ellsberry]

Google never ever ever tells me what I WANT to hear. All so confusing. Com 🙃

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ellsberry]

It all depends what you look for - it has to have the right triggers and they aren't often the obvious ones!! And it does learn from previous searches - mine is quite well trained

[heartbreaker]

It is very confusing innit? I was on 1x 750mg, just found out I'm ment to b on 2 aday! When am I ment to take that 1? Any ideas please 🙏🙏....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to heartbreaker]

If you are taking your pred for breakfast - calcium for lunch and dinner (or tea, or supper) ...