5 Calcium Citrate Side Effects You Should Know About

Calcium citrate (Citracal) is a calcium supplement that treats low calcium levels. It can help you maintain healthy calcium levels if you're not getting enough from your diet. Some people also take calcium citrate to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Before you take a calcium citrate supplement, there are several things you should know. First, you should ask a healthcare professional if you actually need to take extra calcium. Then, review your medication list with them to ensure there aren't any interactions that could be a problem.

Once you've determined that it's a safe and necessary supplement, you'll want to review potential calcium citrate side effects.

Calcium citrate side effects at a glance

Below are the common and rare side effects of calcium supplements. Common calcium citrate side effects are typically milder than with other forms of calcium.

Common calcium citrate side effects include:

• Nausea

• Heartburn

• Gas

• Bloating

• Constipation

Rare but serious calcium citrate side effects include:

• High calcium levels (hypercalcemia)

• Kidney stones

• Increased risk of heart problems

Let's go into more detail about five possible calcium citrate side effects and what to do if you experience them.

1. Nausea

Nausea is a common calcium citrate side effect. In rare cases, it can be severe enough to cause vomiting.

You can take calcium citrate with or without food. But taking it with food can help reduce or prevent nausea. It may also help to take it before bedtime, so your nausea is less bothersome during the day.

If nausea doesn't seem to be going away, or is severe, talk with your pharmacist or prescriber. Calcium citrate is typically gentler on the stomach than other forms of calcium, such as calcium carbonate. But a different calcium product or a lower dose may be more comfortable for you.

2. Heartburn

Calcium citrate doesn't work as an antacid the way that calcium carbonate (Tums) does. So while calcium carbonate treats heartburn, calcium citrate may cause it.

In most cases, you can lessen heartburn by taking calcium citrate with food. But if heartburn persists, talk to your prescriber about whether an over-the-counter (OTC) acid reflux medication, such as omeprazole (Prilosec) or famotidine (Pepcid AC), is an option.

3. Gas and bloating

Some people may experience gas and bloating after taking calcium citrate. While this isn't a dangerous side effect, it can lead to belching or farting that can be uncomfortable or embarrassing for some people.

As with nausea and heartburn, taking calcium citrate with food can help reduce this side effect. You can also try breaking your daily dosage into smaller doses taken throughout the day, or try a different form of calcium. An OTC gas reliever, such as simethicone (Gas-X), may also help.

4. Constipation

Constipation is a common side effect of all calcium supplements. This can happen because calcium can slow down how fast food moves through your gut and affect the amount of fluid in your intestines. This can make it harder to pass stool.

You can prevent or manage constipation with increased fluids, regular exercise, and more fiber in your diet. You can also try an OTC stool softener or laxative, such as docusate sodium (Colace) or bisacodyl (Dulcolax), if needed.

If your constipation persists or worsens, talk with your healthcare team about the next steps. There may be something else causing it that requires further treatment.

5. Increased risk of kidney stones

The relationship between calcium supplements and kidney stones isn't fully understood. Most kidney stones are made of calcium. This led many people to believe that taking calcium supplements increased the risk of kidney stones. But this doesn't seem to be the case for most people, according to clinical studies.

However, some people are more prone to kidney stones than others. So it's possible that high doses of calcium citrate may increase the risk of kidney stones for those people, especially if it's taken without food.

Keep in mind that low calcium levels also increase the risk of kidney stones. So you should continue to take calcium citrate if your prescriber recommends it. Just be sure to take it as directed and have your levels checked to make sure they stay within a normal range.

The best way to keep kidney stones at bay is to limit excess salt and follow a kidney-friendly diet. Calcium in foods doesn't seem to raise the risk of kidney stones for anyone.

Does taking a calcium citrate supplement cause heart problems?

Some studies show that calcium supplements might increase the risk of heart problems. The theory is that calcium in the blood can contribute to buildup in your arteries. This buildup can lead to heart disease or a heart attack over time.

Not all studies show a link between calcium supplements and heart problems. And it's not clear if one type of calcium supplement carries a greater risk than others. But calcium in your diet doesn't seem to raise the risk of heart problems at all. So if you're concerned about the risk of heart problems, getting calcium from food sources may be a safer option.

Talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits of calcium citrate supplements versus dietary calcium, especially if you have existing heart problems.