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  5. Label Information: Calcium Acetate

FDA Label for Calcium Acetate

View Indications, Usage & Precautions

Table of Contents

    1. 1  INDICATIONS & USAGE
    2. 2  DOSAGE & ADMINISTRATION
    3. 3  DOSAGE FORMS & STRENGTHS
    4. 4  CONTRAINDICATIONS
    5. 5.1 HYPERCALCEMIA
    6. 5.2 CONCOMITANT USE WITH MEDICATIONS
    7. 6  ADVERSE REACTIONS
    8. 6.1 CLINICAL TRIALS EXPERIENCE
    9. 6.2 POSTMARKETING EXPERIENCE
    10. 7  DRUG INTERACTIONS
    11. 7.1 CIPROFLOXACIN
    12. 8.1 PREGNANCY
    13. 8.2  LABOR & DELIVERY
    14. 8.3  NURSING MOTHERS
    15. 8.4  PEDIATRIC USE
    16. 8.5  GERIATRIC USE
    17. 10  OVERDOSAGE
    18. 11  DESCRIPTION
    19. 12  CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
    20. 12.1  MECHANISM OF ACTION
    21. 12.2  PHARMACODYNAMICS
    22. 13.1  CARCINOGENESIS & MUTAGENESIS & IMPAIRMENT OF FERTILITY
    23. 14  CLINICAL STUDIES
    24. 16  HOW SUPPLIED/STORAGE AND HANDLING
    25. 17  PATIENT COUNSELING INFORMATION
    26. PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

Calcium Acetate Product Label

The following document was submitted to the FDA by the labeler of this product Nostrum Laboratories, Inc.. The document includes published materials associated whith this product with the essential scientific information about this product as well as other prescribing information. Product labels may durg indications and usage, generic names, contraindications, active ingredients, strength dosage, routes of administration, appearance, warnings, inactive ingredients, etc.

1  Indications & Usage



Calcium Acetate Capsules are a phosphate binder indicated to reduce serum phosphorus in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD).


2  Dosage & Administration



The recommended initial dose of Calcium Acetate Capsules for the adult dialysis patient is 2 capsules with each meal.  Increase the dose gradually to lower serum phosphorus levels to the target range, as long as hypercalcemia does not develop.  Most patients require 3-4 capsules with each meal.


3  Dosage Forms & Strengths



Capsule:  667 mg calcium acetate per capsules.


4  Contraindications



Patients with hypercalcemia.


5.1 Hypercalcemia



Patients with end stage renal disease may develop hypercalcemia when treated with calcium, including calcium acetate (Calcium Acetate Capsules).  Avoid the use of calcium supplements, including calcium-based nonprescription antacids, concurrently with Calcium Acetate Capsules.

An overdose of Calcium Acetate Capsules may lead to progressive hypercalcemia, which may require emergency measures.  Therefore, early in the treatment phase during the dosage adjustment period, monitor serum calcium levels twice weekly.  Should hypercalcemia develop, reduce the Calcium Acetate Capsules dosage or discontinue the treatment, depending on the severity of hypercalcemia.

More severe hypercalcemia (Ca>12 mg/dL) is associated with confusion, delirium, stupor and coma.  Severe hypercalcemia can be treated by acute hemodialysis and discontinuing Calcium Acetate Capsules therapy.

Mild hypercalcemia (10.5 to 11.9 mg/dL) may be asymptomatic or manifest as constipation, anorexia, nausea, and vomiting.  Mild hypercalcemia is usually controlled by reducing the Calcium Acetate Capsules dose or temporarily discontinuing therapy.  Decreasing or discontinuing Vitamin D therapy is recommended as well.

Chronic hypercalcemia may lead to vascular calcification and other soft-tissue calcification.  Radiographic evaluation of suspected anatomical regions may be helpful in early detection of soft tissue calcification.  The long term effect of Calcium Acetate Capsules on the progression of vascular or soft tissue calcification has not been determined.

Hypercalcemia (>11 mg/dL) was reported in 16% of patients in a 3-month study of a solid dose formulation of calcium acetate; all cases resolved upon lowering the dose or discontinuing treatment.

Maintain the serum calcium-phosphorus (Ca x P) product below 55 mg2/dL2.


5.2 Concomitant Use With Medications



Hypercalcemia may aggravate digitalis toxicity.


6  Adverse Reactions



Hypercalcemia is discussed elsewhere [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].


6.1 Clinical Trials Experience



Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.

In clinical studies, calcium acetate has been generally well tolerated.

Calcium Acetate Capsules were studied in a 3-month, open-label, non-randomized study of 98 enrolled ESRD hemodialysis patients and in a two week double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study with 69 enrolled ESRD hemodialysis patients.  Adverse reactions (>2% on treatment) from these trials are presented in Table 1.

Table 1: Adverse Reactions in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis
Preferred Term Total adverse reactions reported for calcium acetate
n = 167
n (%)		 3-mo, open-label study of calcium acetate
n = 98
n (%)		 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study of calcium acetate
n = 69
Calcium acetate
n (%)		Placebo
n (%)
Nausea6 (3.6)6 (6.1)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Vomiting4 (2.4)4 (4.1)0 (0.0)0 (0.0)
Hypercalcemia21 (12.6)16 (16.3)5 (7.2)0 (0.0)

Mild hypercalcemia may be asymptomatic or manifest itself as constipation, anorexia, neusea, and vomiting.  More severe hypercalcemia is associated with confusion, delirium, stupor, and coma.  Decreasing dialysate calcium concentration could reduce the incidence and severity of Calcium Acetate Capsules induced hypercalcemia.  Isolated cases of pruritus have been reported, which may represent allergic reactions.


6.2 Postmarketing Experience



Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.

The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval of calcium acetate:  dizziness, edema, and weakness.


7  Drug Interactions



The drug interaction of Calcium Acetate Capsules is characterized by the potential of calcium to bind to drugs with anionic functions (e.g., carboxyl and hydroxyl groups).  Calcium Acetate Capsules may decrease the bioavailability of tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones via this mechanism.

There are no empirical data on avoiding drug interactions between calcium acetate or Calcium Acetate Capsules and most concomitant drugs.  When administering an oral medication with Calcium Acetate Capsules where a reduction in the bioavailability of that medication would have a clinically significant effect on its safety or efficacy, administer the drug one hour before or three hours after Calcium Acetate Capsules or calcium acetate.  Monitor blood levels of the concomitant drugs that have a narrow therapeutic range.  Patients taking anti-arrhythmic medications for the control of arrhythmias and anti-seizure medications for the control of seizure disorders were excluded from the clinical trials with all forms of calcium acetate.


7.1 Ciprofloxacin



In a study of 15 healthy subjects, a co-administered single dose of 4 calcium acetate tablets approximately 2.7 g, decreased the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin by approximately 50%.


8.1 Pregnancy



Pregnancy Category C

Calcium Acetate Capsules contains calcium acetate.  Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Calcium Acetate Capsules, and there are no adequate and well controlled studies of Calcium Acetate Capsules use in pregnant women.  Patients with end stage renal disease may develop hypercalcemia with calcium acetate treatment [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].  Maintenance of normal serum calcium levels is important for maternal and fetal well being.  Hypercalcemia during pregnancy may increase the risk for maternal and neonatal complications such as stillbirth, preterm delivery, and neonatal hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism.  Calcium Acetate Capsules treatment, as recommended, is not expected to harm a fetus if maternal calcium levels are properly monitored during and following treatment.


8.2  Labor & Delivery



The effects of Calcium Acetate Capsules on labor and delivery are unknown.


8.3  Nursing Mothers



Calcium Acetate Capsules contains calcium acetate and is excreted in human milk.  Human milk feeding by a mother receiving Calcium Acetate Capsules is not expected to harm an infant, provided maternal serum calcium levels are appropriately monitored.


8.4  Pediatric Use



Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.


8.5  Geriatric Use



Clinical studies of calcium acetate did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects.  Other clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients.  In general, dose selection for an elderly patient should be cautious, usually starting at the low end of the dosing range, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal, or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.


10  Overdosage



Administration of Calcium Acetate Capsules in excess of the appropriate daily dosage may result in hypercalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1)].


11  Description



Calcium Acetate Capsules acts as a phosphate binder.  Its chemical name is calcium acetate.  Its molecular formula is C4H6CaO4, and its molecular weight is 158.17.  Its structural formula is:

  • 99a9c435-figure-01 - cal ace

    99a9c435-figure-01 - cal ace

    • Each capsule for oral administration contains 667 mg of calcium acetate, USP (anhydrous; Ca(CH3COO)2; MW=158.17 grams) equivalent to 169 mg (8.45 mEq) of calcium and and the inactive ingredients magnesium stearate and polyethylene glycol.

    The capsules are size 00EL with light green opaque cap and white opaque body with black imprint on cap “NC” above “667”. The gelatin capsules contain D&C Yellow #10, FD&C Blue #1, FD&C Red # 40, titanium dioxide and gelatin

    The imprinting ink contains the following: black iron oxide, D&C Yellow # 10 Aluminium Lake, FD&C Blue #1/ Brilliant Blue FCF Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue #2/ Indigo Carmine Aluminum Lake, FD&C Red # 40/ Allura Red AC Aluminum Lake, propylene glycol and shellac glaze.


12  Clinical Pharmacology



Patients with ESRD retain phosphorus and can develop hyperphosphatemia.  High serum phosphorus can precipitate serum calcium resulting in ectopic calcification.  Hyperphosphatemia also plays a role in the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients with ESRD.


12.1  Mechanism Of Action



Calcium acetate, (Calcium Acetate Capsules) when taken with meals, combines with dietary phosphate to form an insoluble calcium phosphate complex, which is excreted in the feces, resulting in decreased serum phosphorus concentration.


12.2  Pharmacodynamics



Orally administered calcium acetate from pharmaceutical dosage forms is systemically absorbed up to approximately 40% under fasting conditions and up to approximately 30% under non-fasting conditions.  This range represents data from both healthy subjects and renal dialysis patients under various conditions.


13.1  Carcinogenesis & Mutagenesis & Impairment Of Fertility



No carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, or fertility studies have been conducted with calcium acetate.


14  Clinical Studies



Effectiveness of calcium acetate in decreasing serum phosphorus has been demonstrated in two studies of the calcium acetate solid oral dosage form.

Ninety-one patients with end-stage renal disease who were undergoing hemodialysis and were hyperphosphatemic (serum phosphorus >5.5 mg/dL) following a 1-week phosphate binder washout period contributed efficacy data to an open-label, non-randomized study.

The patients received calcium acetate 667 mg tablets at each meal for a period of 12 weeks.  The initial starting dose was 2 tablets per meal for 3 meals a day, and the dose was adjusted as necessary to control serum phosphorus levels.  The average final dose after 12 weeks of treatment was 3.4 tablets per meal.  Although there was a decrease in serum phosphorus, in the absence of a control group the true magnitude of effect is uncertain.

The data presented in Table 2 demonstrate the efficacy of calcium acetate in the treatment of hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal disease patients.  The effects on serum calcium levels are also presented.

Table 2: Average Serum Phosphorous and Calcium Levels at Pre-Study, Interim, and Study Completion Time points
ParameterPre-StudyWeek 4bWeek 8Week 12p-valuec
a Values expressed as mean ± SE.
b Ninety-one patients completed at least 6 weeks of the study.
c ANOVA of difference in values at pre-study and study completion.
Phosphorus (mg/dL)a7.4 ± 0.175.9 ± 0.165.6 ± 0.175.2 ± 0.17≤0.01
Calcium (mg/dL)a8.9 ± 0.099.5 ± 0.109.7 ± 0.109.7 ± 0.10≤0.01

There was a 30% decrease in serum phosphorus levels during the 12 week study period (p<0.01).  Two-thirds of the decline occurred in the first month of the study.  Serum calcium increased 9% during the study mostly in the first month of the study.

Treatment with the phosphate binder was discontinued for patients from the open-label study, and those patients whose serum phosphorus exceeded 5.5 mg/dL were eligible for entry into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.  Patients were randomized to receive calcium acetate or placebo, and each continued to receive the same number of tablets as had been individually established during the previous study.  Following 2 weeks of treatment, patients switched to the alternative therapy for an additional 2 weeks.

The phosphate binding effect of calcium acetate is shown in the Table 3.

Table 3: Serum Phosphorus and Calcium Levels at Study Initiation and After Completion of Each Treatment Arm
Parameter Pre-StudyPost-Treatment p-valueb
Calcium AcetatePlacebo
a Values expressed as mean ± SE.
b ANOVA of calcium acetate vs. placebo after 2 weeks of treatment.
Phosphorus (mg/dL)a7.3 ± 0.185.9 ± 0.247.8 ± 0.22<0.01
Calcium (mg/dL)a8.9 ± 0.119.5 ± 0.138.8 ± 0.12<0.01

Overall, 2 weeks of treatment with calcium acetate statistically significantally (p<0.01) decreased serum phosphorus by a mean of 19% and increased serum calcium by a statistically significant (p<0.01) but clinically unimportant mean of 7%.


16  How Supplied/Storage And Handling



Each Calcium Acetate capsule for oral administration contains 667 mg of Calcium Acetate, USP (anhydrous Ca(CH3COO)2; MW=158.17 grams) equivalent to 169 mg (8.45 mEq) of calcium. The capsules are size 00EL with light green opaque cap and white opaque body with black imprint on cap “NC” above “667”.

NDC 29033-026-02 Bottles of 200

STORAGE:  Store at 20-25°C (68-77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) [See USP “Controlled Room Temperature”].


17  Patient Counseling Information



Inform patients to take Calcium Acetate Capsules with meals, adhere to their prescribed diets, and avoid the use of calcium supplements including nonprescription antacids.  Inform the patients about the symptoms of hypercalcemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)]

Advise patients who are taking an oral medication where reduction in the bioavailability of that medication would have clinically significant effect on its safety and efficacy to take the drug one hour before or three hours after Calcium Acetate Capsules.

Manufactured by:

Nostrum Laboratories Inc.

Kansas City, MO 64120

Mar 2014


Package Label.Principal Display Panel



PACKAGE LABEL.PRINCIPAL DISPLAY PANEL

99a9c435-figure-02 - cal ace lbl

99a9c435-figure-02 - cal ace lbl


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