Calcium carbonate is an inorganic salt that is primarily used for conditions related to calcium deficiency, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic kidney disease, and several other prescribed medical cases.

What is Calcium Carbonate ?

classifies calcium carbonate as a calcium supplement, an antacid, and a phosphate binder.
Below, we present its uses, side effects, and contraindications. Calcium carbonate is an effective agent in treating osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis, and a wide range of other conditions that reduce serum calcium levels.
Since it also functions as an antacid, calcium carbonate enhances gastrointestinal motility and stimulates peristalsis.

Role of Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate binds phosphate in the small intestine and acts as a chelator for drugs. In individuals suffering from hyperphosphatemia or overdose, calcium binds and forms an insoluble compound that prevents the absorption of dietary phosphate or excessive medication, excreting it through the stool.

Calcium Carbonate as a Dietary Supplement

Calcium carbonate can be used as a dietary supplement. In the small intestine, it binds oxalates, preventing absorption and the formation of kidney stones. Moreover, it acts in the bloodstream to treat or prevent negative calcium balance, which may appear in cases of hypocalcemia.
If you need calcium carbonate, you can contact us at Zohdy Minerals Egypt.

Uses of Calcium Carbonate

Calcium carbonate, with the formula CaCO₃, is a resonance-stabilized inorganic salt used as a dietary supplement, food additive, antacid, and phosphate inhibitor.
It is one of the most abundant compounds in the Earth’s crust and is commonly found in organic materials such as eggshells, seashells, crustacean exoskeletons, and dark leafy vegetables like broccoli and kale.

Beyond medicine, calcium carbonate is widely used industrially as a filler in paints, paper, fire extinguishers, adhesives, agricultural dust, mining materials, household cleaners, food coloring, and cosmetic products.

Calcium Carbonate in Pharmaceuticals from Zohdy Minerals Egypt

In pharmaceuticals, calcium carbonate is used as a food additive to improve nutrition, as a calcium supplement for treating low calcium serum levels, as an antacid for gastrointestinal conditions, as a phosphate inhibitor in chronic kidney disease, and as an excipient in tablets for pharmaceutical and food manufacturing.

When used as an antacid, calcium carbonate is prescribed for:

• Heartburn caused by GERD

• Damage to the upper gastrointestinal mucosa caused by NSAIDs

• Gastric and duodenal ulcers

• Bile reflux

• Stress-related gastritis

• Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency

• Diarrhea caused by bile acids

• Non-ulcer dyspepsia

• Urinary alkalinization

Calcium carbonate also promotes intestinal motility, making it useful in treating constipation. You can obtain calcium carbonate through Zahdy Mining Company.

Other Medical Uses

• Treating hyperphosphatemia caused by chronic kidney disease (as a phosphate binder)

• Managing poisoning/overdose by inducing urinary alkalinization

• Serving as preventive treatment in pregnant women before childbirth to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia

Mechanism of Action of Calcium Carbonate

Calcium is naturally present in the body, mostly in bones and teeth as hydroxyapatite, with the rest in the blood, extracellular fluid, muscles, and tissues.
Calcium carbonate exerts its pharmacological effect through three primary mechanisms, acting on:

1. The stomach

2. The small intestine

3. The blood

4. As an Antacid:

• Neutralizes gastric acid by acting as a “buffer” in the acidic environment.

• Upon entering the stomach, calcium carbonate releases calcium ions (Ca²⁺) and carbonate ions (CO₃²⁻).

• Carbonate ions bind with hydrogen ions (H⁺), reducing acidity and increasing pH.

• Increased pH inhibits:

  • Pepsin enzyme

  • Bile acids

  • Toxins from Helicobacter pylori

2. Effect on Ulcers and the Digestive System:

• Inhibiting pepsin (responsible for breaking down tissue proteins) and bile acids reduces damage and promotes healing of:

  • Gastric and duodenal ulcers

  • Esophageal injury caused by GERD

However, some criticisms suggest that the ulcer-healing effect of calcium carbonate is not solely due to acid neutralization, because:

• It may cause acid rebound by increasing plasma gastrin levels.

• Long-term use has been shown to increase prostaglandins (PGE₂, PGF₂), which may also contribute to ulcer healing.

At times, calcium carbonate may be inconvenient for patients since it must be taken alone (except with Vitamin D and certain drugs not requiring an acidic gastric medium).
It may also cause several gastrointestinal side effects, especially in elderly patients.
Additionally, calcium carbonate therapy can result in a high pill burden, as patients with hyperphosphatemia may require more than 17 doses per day.

If you require calcium carbonate, you can contact Zohdy Minerals Egypt.