Adcal query

[Wraysbury]

Hi since my GP changed my Adcal from soluble to caplets Ive had the most appalling upset stomach and wind!!! Anyone else had this and will it settle down? I’ve been taking them for a week. Good for weight loss I guess!!?

[Maisie1958]

Yes! I was similar a few years back, maybe not quite as bad. I’m afraid I wimped out of challenging the change(I had a note on prescription saying lower cost) and bought some calcium citrate and VitD tablets-was fine with those and much easier to swollow. I didn’t persevere so don’t know if would have settled. Since then I’ve just looked for bargains in health food shops and supermarkets. Hope you feel better soon x

[Valnvaughan]

Adcal has chalk ( calcium carbonate) as an ingredient. Mix with stomach acid in soluble or caplet, or tablet in my case, form and carbon dioxide will form which needs to escape. Some GPs with Pred patients prescribe a medicine to reduce stomach acid too. If you think it's the change of prescription ask to go back. Be a nuisance at GPs.....those people get the best service, unfortunately. Valerie

[SheffieldJane]

It’s difficult to know what horrible symptom comes from what. Mine were chewable but I got cystitis symptoms. My doctor has put me on vit D, he says that I get enough calcium from my diet. I did persist with them for a long time though - 2 years maybe.

[Jillbowles]

I gave up with Adcal because of similar side effects. I take calcium citrate. No side effects at all. My GP practice won't prescribe it though because of the cost.

[Omanain in reply to Jillbowles]

I also changed to calcium citrate and no longer have problems. Like you,I have to buy my own though.

[Grants148]

I also had the same problem with Adcal tablets,my GP suggested l take one every couple of days to help ease the problem,it did not help at all so l have stopped taking them.l am hoping that l get enough calcium from my diet and will look for some vit.D supplements to take during the winter.

[ClarkB]

I was unable to swallow the Adcal tablets. It seems only the cheapest options are prescribed these days. I also buy my own, calcium citrate powder, with magnesium and boron, by Viridian. Not cheap. There are others though, but some hard to swallow. I understood that Adcal was mainly chalk which caused build up in some areas of bone. Am not at all medically knowledgeable. to say the least, just what I read! I was prescribed Lansoprazole along with prednisone, for the stomach. Prescribed by the doctor, yet not mentioned by my Rheumatologist who prescribed my original steroids! I feel worse if I take them, so rarely do.

[peanuckle]

I take calcium citrate and vit. D. No problems. I also take probiotics which also may help.

[BonnyQuine]

A lot of medications seem to have those sorts of effects.

I also gave up on Adcal quite quickly. Had been taking vit D3 for some years before, so just carried on with those. Buy own. Have since added vit K2 to that, and try to include calcium-rich foods in what I eat.

Exercise = good for bones, and I do intend to do some whenever I am able. When stuck indoors, I do aim to change position frequently, and stand up at least 3 times an hour. Apparently that makes a difference.

Had a second dexa scan fairly recently. Took a month or so and a couple of phone calls to extract the results, but worth it as they were ok. Sigh of relief!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Different carriers - I'd ask to go back to the one I was fine with since it probably isn't the calcium part that is the problem. You won't do well if intestinal hurry sends the stuff out into the world before you can absorb it!!!