Calcium Acetate – a phosphate binder for kidney bone disease

Calcium Acetate – a phosphate binder for kidney bone disease

Calcium acetate is a phosphate binding tablet for CKD patients

What is Calcium Acetate?

• A phosphate binder used to treat high phosphate levels (hyperphosphataemia), most commonly in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
• It works by binding phosphate from food, reducing how much phosphate is absorbed into the blood.

How it works

• The mechanism of action of calcium acetate involves binding to dietary phosphate in the gut
• As a phosphate binder, calcium acetate forms insoluble compounds with phosphate that are excreted in the stool.
• This process lowers blood phosphate levels, which helps maintain healthier bones in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Uses

Calcium acetate is used for patients with:

• Hyperphosphataemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD)
• This includes patients receiving haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis
  

Dosage

• Dose: The usual dose of calcium acetate (475 mg) is taken with meals and adjusted according to blood phosphate levels
• Calcium acetate is available as capsules, tablets, or liquid – commonly 1–2 tablets/capsules with each meal
• Dose adjustments: Based on phosphate and calcium blood tests

Note. Calcium acetate should be taken exactly as prescribed, and doses should not be changed without medical advice.

Side-effects

Most calcium acetate side effects are mild but may be linked to raised calcium levels.

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Reduced appetite

Signs of high calcium levels (hypercalcaemia)

• Itching
• Red eyes
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Increased thirst or urination

Note. Medical advice should be sought soon if these symptoms of hypercalcaemia occur.

Monitoring

Doctors should monitor:

• Blood phosphate levels
• Blood calcium levels
• Parathyroid hormone levels (PTH), if required
• Kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine and GFR)

Blood tests should be more frequent when starting treatment or adjusting the dose.