SHRESTCAL - M/A - Calcium Carbonate & Alfacalcidol 0.25mcg Tab

CALCIUM CARBONATE
General Description -
Calcium carbonate is a chemical compound, with chemical formula CaCO3. It is commonly used medicinally as a calcium supplement or as an antacid. Calcium carbonate is the active ingredient in agricultural lime. It is a common substance found as rock in all parts of the world and is the main component of seashells and the shell of snails. It is usually the principal cause of hard water. Calcium carbonate is widely used medicinally as an inexpensive dietary calcium supplement, antacid, and/or phosphate binder. It is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as a base material for tablets of other pharmaceuticals.
ALFACALCIDOL
General Description -
Alfacalcidol is a form of vitamin D. It is converted rapidly in the liver to the active metabolite, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol). In the normal situation it controls the intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate and plays an important part in the regulation of bone mineralisation. In chronic renal failure, the kidneys produce insufficient calcitriol and this leads to abnormalities of calcium and phosphate metabolism. Oral administration of alfacalcidol to patients with chronic renal failure compensates for the reduced production of calcitriol. Consequently, intestinal malabsorption of calcium and phosphate and the resulting hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium levels) are improved, thereby reversing the signs and symptoms of bone disease. Alfacalcidol is also given to provide a more rapid increase in active vitamin D and hence calcium, in people with various bone diseases. As this form of vitamin D only requires one conversion to become calcitriol, it provides a quicker response than giving normal dietary vitamin D. supplements.