Seacal-D

Seacal-D is a bone-health combination supplement that supplies elemental calcium together with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) to improve calcium absorption and support skeletal strength. It is indicated for the treatment and prevention of:

• Osteoporosis — to reduce bone loss and lower the risk of fragility fractures
• Osteomalacia — softening of bones due to defective bone mineralisation
• Tetany — muscle spasms linked to low blood calcium
• Hypoparathyroidism — low parathyroid hormone activity
• Disorders of osteogenesis — impaired bone formation

It is also widely used as a dietary calcium supplement when intake is inadequate, including in childhood diets, rickets, pregnancy and lactation, and among elderly patients at higher risk of calcium and vitamin D deficiency. Additional uses include the management of pancreatitis and as a phosphate binder in chronic renal failure.

Always take medicine as directed by a registered physician.

Calcium Carbonate (Coral source) + Vitamin D3 is available in standard tablet, high-strength (DX) tablet, and effervescent tablet forms. Each strength contains coral-sourced Calcium Carbonate providing elemental calcium along with vitamin D:

Specific mineral & vitamin combined preparations

Calcium is essential to a wide range of physiological functions, and the body maintains blood calcium within a tight range at all times. Adequate calcium is critical for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and the associated risk of fractures. Vitamin D works alongside calcium by enhancing its absorption from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and by stimulating new bone formation, giving the two nutrients a synergistic effect on bone growth, bone density, and fracture prevention.

In this preparation, the calcium carbonate is derived from a coral source. Coral calcium has a chemical structure closely resembling that of human bone, which supports efficient and reliable absorption compared with conventional calcium sources. The vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) component aids intestinal calcium uptake and helps maintain overall calcium balance throughout the body, ensuring the mineral is available where the skeleton needs it most.

Seacal-D can interact with several medicines and dietary components. Inform your doctor about all products you take. Key interactions include:

• Thiazide diuretics: Reduce urinary calcium excretion and raise the risk of hypercalcaemia; serum calcium should be monitored regularly during concomitant use.
• Systemic corticosteroids: Reduce calcium absorption, so the calcium dose may need to be increased during co-treatment.
• Ion-exchange resins (e.g., cholestyramine) & laxatives (e.g., paraffin oil): May reduce the GI absorption of vitamin D.
• Tetracycline antibiotics: Calcium carbonate can impair their absorption; take tetracyclines at least 2 hours before, or 4–6 hours after, the calcium dose.
• Cardiac glycosides (e.g., digoxin): Hypercalcaemia may increase glycoside toxicity; monitor ECG and serum calcium.
• Bisphosphonates or sodium fluoride: Take these at least 3 hours before the calcium dose, as absorption may otherwise be reduced.
• Oxalic acid (spinach, rhubarb) & phytic acid (whole cereals): Form insoluble calcium salts that inhibit absorption; avoid calcium products within 2 hours of these foods.

Seacal-D is generally well tolerated, but some patients may experience side effects. Orally administered calcium carbonate can irritate the GI tract and may cause constipation. Other possible effects include:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Decreased appetite and dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Irregular heartbeats
• Allergic reactions
• Occasional skin rash (reported with vitamin D supplementation)

Hypercalcaemia is rarely caused by calcium alone but may occur when large doses are given to patients with chronic renal failure. Seek medical advice if any side effect is severe or persistent.

Pregnancy: Seacal-D can be used during pregnancy when there is a genuine calcium and vitamin D deficiency. However, daily intake should not exceed 1500 mg of calcium and 600 IU of cholecalciferol (15 mcg vitamin D). Overdoses must be avoided, as persistent hypercalcaemia has been linked to adverse effects on the developing foetus. There is no evidence that vitamin D at therapeutic doses is teratogenic in humans, though animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity with very high doses.

Lactation: The combination can be used during breastfeeding. Both calcium and vitamin D3 pass into breast milk, so this should be taken into account if the infant is also receiving additional vitamin D from another source.

During long-term treatment, serum calcium and renal function (via serum creatinine) should be monitored regularly. Extra caution is advised in specific patient groups:

• Elderly patients receiving cardiac glycosides or diuretics, and those prone to calculus (stone) formation, need close monitoring.
• If hypercalcaemia or signs of impaired renal function develop, the dose should be reduced or treatment stopped.
• In patients with renal impairment, use vitamin D cautiously and monitor calcium and phosphate levels, considering the risk of soft-tissue calcification. In severe renal insufficiency, cholecalciferol is not metabolised normally, so alternative vitamin D forms may be required.
• Patients with sarcoidosis should be prescribed with caution due to increased conversion of vitamin D to its active metabolite; monitor serum and urinary calcium.
• Immobilised patients with osteoporosis face a higher risk of hypercalcaemia.
• Account for the vitamin D content when prescribing other vitamin D–containing products. Any additional calcium or vitamin D should be taken under close medical supervision with frequent monitoring.

Overdose can lead to hypervitaminosis D and hypercalcaemia. Symptoms of hypercalcaemia may include anorexia, thirst, nausea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, muscle weakness, fatigue, mental disturbances, excessive thirst (polydipsia), excessive urination (polyuria), bone pain, nephrocalcinosis, and nephrolithiasis. In severe cases, cardiac arrhythmias may occur, and extreme hypercalcaemia can result in coma and death. Persistently high calcium levels may cause irreversible renal damage and soft-tissue calcification.

Management of hypercalcaemia: Discontinue calcium therapy along with any thiazide diuretics, lithium, vitamin A, and cardiac glycosides. In patients with impaired consciousness, the stomach should be emptied. Treatment involves rehydration and, depending on severity, loop diuretics, bisphosphonates, calcitonin, and corticosteroids — used alone or in combination. Serum electrolytes, renal function, and diuresis must be monitored, and in severe cases ECG and central venous pressure (CVP) should be followed.

Store at a temperature below 30°C, protected from light and moisture. Keep the medicine out of the reach of children.

Specific mineral & vitamin combined preparations

This is a Calcium and Vitamin D3 preparation where Calcium Carbonate is sourced from coral origin. The Calcium Carbonate from Coral has a chemical structure that is very similar to the composition of human bone. Coral Calcium is similar to other sources but ensures better absorption. Vitamin D3 aids in the absorption of Calcium from GI tract and helps to maintain Calcium balance in the body.

This can be given to pregnant and lactating mothers as per recommendation of physician.