Oral intake of calcium salts can supplement dietary sources of calcium. Most calcium taken orally is not absorbed but rather passes into the feces.
Molecular weight calcium: 40.02 g
Factors that can reduce calcium absorption:
(1) insoluble formulation
(2) high phosphate content in diet (results in calcium phosphate precipitates)
(3) diarrhea or other cause for rapid motility
(4) malabsorption due to intestinal disease
|
Salt |
Molecular Weight |
Percent Calcium |
mmol calcium per gram |
mEq calcium per gram |
|
calcium carbonate |
100.1 |
40% |
10 |
20 |
|
calcium chloride |
110.98 |
36.1% |
9.01 |
18.02 |
|
calcium chloride dihydrate |
147.02 |
27.3% |
6.8 |
13.6 |
|
calcium citrate |
498.4 |
24.1% |
6.02 |
12.04 |
|
calcium glubionate |
592.13 |
6.8% |
1.69 |
3.38 |
|
calcium gluceptate |
490.43 |
8.2% |
2.04 |
4.08 |
|
calcium gluconate |
430.38 |
9.3% |
2.32 |
4.64 |
|
calcium lactate |
218.2 |
18.4% |
4.58 |
9.16 |
|
calcium phosphate, dibasic |
136.1 |
29.5% |
7.35 |
14.7 |
|
calcium phosphate, tribasic |
310.2 |
38.8% |
9.67 |
19.34 |
Calcium carbonate should be taken with meals if the patient is achlorhydric.
Calcium citrate is well-absorbed.
Calcium chloride is the most irritating and can cause chemical burns.
Calcium gluceptate shows minimal irritation.
Calcium gluconate is less irritating than calcium chloride.
Calcium lactate should be given as a powder and not as a tablet, because the tablets do not dissolve well.
