What is a Patient Information Leaflet and why is it useful?

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine. It is written for patients and gives information about taking or using a medicine. It is possible that the leaflet in your medicine pack may differ from this version because it may have been updated since your medicine was packaged.

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Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet. The original can be viewed in PDF format using the link above.

The text only version may be available from RNIB in large print, Braille or audio CD. For further information call RNIB Medicine Leaflet Line on 0800 198 5000. The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 16239/0027.

Calfovit D3

Package leaflet: Information for the user

CALFOVIT D3 1200 mg/ 800 I.U. powder for oral suspension

Calcium and Colecalciferol

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

  • Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist have told you. Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
  • Ask your pharmacist if you need more information or advice.
  • If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.
  • You must talk to a doctor if you do not feel better or if you feel worse.

What is in this leaflet:

1. What CALFOVIT D3 is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take CALFOVIT D3
3. How to take CALFOVIT D3
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store CALFOVIT D3
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What CALFOVIT D3 is and what it is used for

CALFOVIT D3 is a calcium and vitamin D3 supplement for the treatment of certain bone conditions in adults and elderly.

Both calcium and vitamin D are found in the diet and vitamin D is also produced in the skin following exposure to the sun.

A lack of vitamin D and calcium may lead to reduced bone density and bone fractures. CALFOVIT D3 may be taken to make up for this deficiency of calcium and vitamin D.

2. What you need to know before you take CALFOVIT D3

Do not take CALFOVIT D3:

  • if you are allergic to calcium, colecalciferol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
  • if you are inactive and have high levels of calcium in your blood (hypercalcaemia) or urine (hypercalciuria)
  • if you have calcium deposits in the tissues of your body
  • if you have serious kidney problems
  • if you have kidney stones or calcium stones in general
  • if you have abnormally high levels of vitamin D
  • if you are pregnant or breast feeding
  • if you are less than 18 years of age.

Warning and precautions

Talk to your doctor before taking CALFOVIT D3:

  • if you have kidney problems, or a tendency to form urinary stones. Your doctor will check your blood and urine calcium levels to make sure they do not get too high
  • if you are currently being treated for heart problems. You will be closely supervised by your doctor if you take cardiac glycosides (e.g. digitalis), since their effect may be enhanced by taking CALFOVIT D3
  • if you suffer from sarcoidosis (an immune system disorder of inflamed lesions of liver, lung, skin or lymph nodes).Your doctor will monitor your blood and urine calcium levels, which may increase due to a possible increased vitamin D activity.

Children

Do not give this medicine to children under 18 years of age because the safety and efficacy of CALFOVIT D3 have not been established in children.

Other medicines and CALFOVIT D3

Tell your doctor if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

In particular you should tell your doctor if you are taking:

Medicines that decrease the absorption or effect of CALFOVIT D3:

  • colestyramine (used to treat high blood cholesterol levels), steroids (such as cortisone), mineral oils (such as paraffin oil used as a laxative or stool softener): these medicines may decrease the absorption of the vitamin D3
  • phenytoin and barbiturates (e.g. phenobarbital), which are used to treat epilepsy: they may decrease the activity of vitamin D3
  • some diuretics (water pills e.g. furosemide and ethacrynic acid), antacids (used for indigestion) that contain aluminium salts and thyroid hormones: these medicines can decrease the absorption of calcium and increase its elimination in the stools or urine.

Medicines that increase the absorption or effect of CALFOVIT D3:

  • some other diuretics (of the thiazide kind, e.g. hydrochlorothiazide) can decrease the elimination of calcium in the urine and thus cause too high calcium levels in the blood
  • antibiotic drugs, such as penicillin, neomycin and chloramphenicol can increase the absorption of calcium: your doctor may tell you to check your blood calcium during prolonged treatment with CALFOVIT D3 and any of these drugs

Medicines whose absorption is decreased by CALFOVIT D3:

  • tetracycline antibiotics: when taking these leave at least three hours before taking CALFOVIT D3. Do not take them at the same time
  • bisphosphonates (medicines used to treat or prevent osteoporosis) and sodium fluoride: when taking these leave at least three hours before taking CALFOVIT D3.

Medicines whose effect is increased by CALFOVIT D3:

  • digitoxin (e.g. Lanoxin) or other cardiac glycosides used to treat heart disorders: calcium may increase their effect on the heart.

Tell your doctor and ask for his/her advice before taking any other product containing vitamin D or its derivatives while taking CALFOVIT D3.

CALFOVIT D3 with food and drink

Tell your doctor if you usually eat food that contains oxalic acid (e.g. spinach and rhubarb), phosphates (especially from food additives) or phytinic acid (whole cereals), since these may reduce the absorption of calcium contained in CALFOVIT D3.

Tell your doctor and ask for his/her advice before taking foodstuffs which may be fortified with vitamin D. See also section 3 how to take CALFOVIT D3.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

CALFOVIT D3 should not be used during pregnancy or when breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

CALFOVIT D3 has no influence on your ability to drive or use machines.

CALFOVIT D3 contains the colouring agent sunset yellow (E 110) and sucrose.

Sunset yellow (E 110): May cause allergic reactions.

Sucrose: If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.

3. How to take CALFOVIT D3

Always take this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist have told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The recommended dose is 1 sachet of CALFOVIT D3 once a day, preferably during the evening meal.

Pour the contents of the sachet into a glass of non-carbonated water. Stir with a spoon to obtain a pleasant-tasting suspension. Drink the suspension immediately after mixing.

If you take more CALFOVIT D3 than you should

Contact your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency department if you or someone near you has taken too much CALFOVIT D3. Remember to take with you any remaining sachets and the box or this leaflet so that doctors know what has been taken.

If you forget to take CALFOVIT D3

If you forget to take CALFOVIT D3, take it as soon as you remember. In any case, do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten sachet.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Serious side effects

Stop taking CALFOVIT D3 and contact a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • swelling of face, lips and throat
  • sudden difficulty breathing
  • severe itching and/or rash (hives)
  • skin allergy.

Other side effects

Tell your doctor promptly if you experience the following side effects, which may indicate that calcium levels in your blood or urine are too high:

  • anorexia, nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, headache, weakness, apathy and drowsiness
  • thirst, dehydration, passing water frequently throughout the day or night, abdominal pain, lack of bowel movement, irregular heart beat.

In addition, the following side effects may occur with the use of CALFOVIT D3:

  • constipation
  • diarrhoea
  • nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting
  • stomach ache.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme. Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

5. How to store CALFOVIT D3

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 25°C.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the sachet and carton.

The expiry date [“EXP”] refers to the last day of that month.

Do not throw away any medicine via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

What CALFOVIT D3 contains

The active substances are: calcium and colecalciferol.

Each sachet contains calcium 1200 mg (as calcium phosphate) and colecalciferol (vitamin D3) 20 micrograms (equivalent to 800 I.U).

The other ingredients are: propylene glycol, sunset yellow FCF (E110), lemon flavouring (containing: natural flavourings, maltodextrin, gum arabic), saccharin sodium, anhydrous citric acid, microcrystalline cellulose and carmellose sodium, monopalmitate sucrose, silica colloidal anhydrous, mannitol, α-tocopherol, edible fats, gelatin, sucrose and maize starch (see Section 2).

What CALFOVIT D3 looks like and contents of the pack

CALFOVIT D3 sachets contain white or slightly orange, granular powder for oral suspension. The obtained suspension is an orange opaque liquid containing white granules.

The sachets are packaged in cardboard boxes containing 2, 30 or 60 sachets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder:

Menarini International Operations Luxembourg S.A.
1, Avenue de la Gare
L-1611 Luxembourg

Manufacturer:

Sigmar Italia S.p.A.
Via Sombreno, 11
Almé 24011-BG
Italy

or

A. Menarini Manufacturing Logistics and Services s.r.l.
Via Sette Santi, 3
Florence
Italy

Marketed by

A. Menarini Farmaceutica Internazionale SRL

This medicinal product is authorised in the Member States of the EEA under the following names:

United Kingdom Calfovit D3

Denmark Calfovit D3

Germany Calfovit D3

Greece Decal

Luxembourg Calfovit D3

Ireland Calfovit D3

Sweden Calfovit D3

This leaflet was last revised in 02/2017.