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Calcium is a mineral in the human body. It helps bone, teeth, nerves, and muscles grow and function. It also helps the blood clot. Staff members take blood samples to check the amount of calcium in the body. If the level is too high or too low, the staff may make changes to medicines or fluids that the patient is receiving.
Hypocalcemia can occur:
Amifostine is a medicine that can cause low calcium in the blood.
You can receive calcium to increase the amount of this mineral in your blood. It is available as a 500 mg chewable tablet (Tums®), a 500 mg soft chew (Viactiv®), a 600 mg tablet with vitamin D (Caltrate®), a white liquid that can be given by mouth, and a clear liquid that can be given into a vein (IV).
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, hives, itching, chills, fever, headache, muscle ache, shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the throat, swelling of the face or neck.
Not all patients who take calcium will experience these side effects. Common side effects are bolded, but there may be others. Please report all suspected side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.
Find more information on side effects.
Hypercalcemia can be caused by;
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, hives, itching, chills, fever, headache, muscle ache, shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the throat, swelling of the face or neck.
Not all patients who take calcium will experience these side effects. Common side effects are bolded, but there may be others. Please report all suspected side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.
Find more information on side effects.
Be sure to discuss all questions and instructions with your doctor or pharmacist.