| Choice | Drug | Dosage |
|---|---|---|
| 1st choice | Adcal-D3® Caplets (300mg calcium and 200IU vitamin D) | Dose: |
Accrete D3® film-coated tablets (600mg calcium and 400IU vitamin D) | Dose: One tablet twice a day | |
| Accrete D3® One a Day 1000 mg / 880 IU Chewable Tablets | Dose: One tablet daily | |
| 2nd choice | Calceos® 500mg/400IU chewable tablets | Dose: |
| Reserve (for patients who cannot swallow caplets or take chewable tablets) | Calfovit D3® 1200mg/800IU powder for oral suspension | Dose: |
Prescribing Notes
- Supplementation with calcium and vitamin D alone has been shown to reduce fracture rates in housebound elderly patients without previous fracture. Evidence in other patient groups is lacking.
- Those with, or at risk of, osteoporosis should maintain adequate supply of calcium and vitamin D. If deficiency is suspected, this should be corrected by increasing dietary intake or taking supplements.
- Dietary sources of calcium are the preferred option, see National Osteoporosis Society website for information on calcium rich food and a calcium calculator.
- With the introduction of licensed vitamin D preparations, many clinicians are moving away from the use of combined calcium and vitamin D preparations in favour of single agent vitamin D preparations (in patients who are calcium replete).
- For vitamin D guidance, see section 9.6.4 and for single agent calcium supplements, see section 9.5.1.1.