Adcal D3 Chewable Fruit Flavour Tablets – 56 Tablets

Adcal-D3 is a licensed medicinal product combining calcium carbonate and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). It is indicated for the supplementation of calcium and Vitamin D deficiency in adults and the elderly, and is also used as an adjunct to specific treatments for osteoporosis where calcium and Vitamin D insufficiency has been established. It is recommended by GPs and healthcare professionals as a convenient combined preparation for patients who need both nutrients, rather than two separate supplements.

Vitamin D3 is essential for the efficient absorption of calcium from the gut. Without adequate Vitamin D, the gut absorbs only a fraction of the calcium consumed — approximately 10–15% compared with up to 40% when Vitamin D status is adequate. Taking calcium alone without adequate Vitamin D may therefore provide limited bone benefit, as much of the calcium will pass through unabsorbed. The combination of both nutrients in a single preparation reflects this biological dependency and makes adherence simpler.

The key differences are format, dose strength, and suitability. The chewable tablets (1500mg/400IU) are chewed rather than swallowed, making them suitable for those who dislike or cannot swallow large tablets. They provide 600mg of elemental calcium and 400 IU of Vitamin D3 per tablet. The caplets (750mg/200IU) are swallowed whole and provide half the calcium (300mg elemental) and half the Vitamin D3 (200 IU) per unit — making them appropriate for lower-dose requirements or when the full 400IU dose is being obtained from another source. Confirm which format and strength is most appropriate based on your GP's recommendation.

Yes. The body absorbs calcium most efficiently in doses of approximately 500mg of elemental calcium or less at a time. Taking the full daily calcium dose in a single sitting provides less efficient absorption than splitting across two doses — for example, one tablet with breakfast and one with an evening meal. Where the prescribed dose is two tablets per day, taking one in the morning and one in the evening is preferable to taking both simultaneously.

Calcium ions bind to several medications in the gut, forming insoluble complexes that cannot be absorbed through the gut wall. This significantly reduces the availability of these medications, potentially compromising their therapeutic effect. The most clinically important interactions are with bisphosphonates (for osteoporosis — separate by at least 2 hours), levothyroxine (thyroid hormone — separate by at least 4 hours), and tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics (separate by at least 2 hours). Your GP or pharmacist can advise on the optimal dosing schedule if you take any of these medicines.

Calcium deficiency risk is highest in those with low dairy intake, postmenopausal women (who have both higher calcium requirements and lower absorption efficiency), older adults generally, and those with conditions affecting calcium absorption (coeliac disease, Crohn's disease). Vitamin D deficiency is common in the UK due to insufficient sunlight for most of the year and is highest risk in those with darker skin, those who are housebound or institutionalised, those who cover their skin, and those over 65. The combination makes Adcal-D3 particularly relevant for postmenopausal women and older adults in the UK.

The formula is identical between pack sizes. At the typical dose of one or two tablets daily, the 56-tablet pack provides 28–56 days of use (one to two months), whilst the 112-tablet pack provides 56–112 days (two to four months). The larger pack is more economical per tablet and reduces reorder frequency — particularly important for patients prescribed Adcal-D3 as an ongoing supplement alongside osteoporosis treatment, who may be taking it for months or years. The 56-tablet pack is better suited to those beginning the product for the first time or needing a shorter supply.

If you have any degree of renal impairment, consult your GP before taking Adcal-D3. In mild to moderate kidney disease, careful use with monitoring may be appropriate; in severe renal failure, Adcal-D3 is generally not recommended without specialist supervision, as impaired renal clearance increases the risk of hypercalcaemia (elevated blood calcium) — a condition that can have serious cardiac and neurological consequences. Your nephrologist or GP will advise based on your specific kidney function and overall clinical picture.