Question:
Can you take Calcium pills without splitting them?
I am trying to take my calcium faithfully. I take 5 Citrical daily. I wondered if anyone else uses this and if they have to split the pill or take it whole. I have split it but it really hurts going down my throat. Can you take it whole? I am 8 weeks post op and on a regular diet. Can anyone help? — Cindy K. (posted on March 14, 2001)
March 13, 2001
Per the BTC plan, no pills that you take should be bigger than an M&M.
If the calcium supplements are, you should split them. Good Luck, Diane C.
— Diane C.
March 13, 2001
I bought a pill crusher at Walmart and I crush them- then I
take then REALLY QUICKLY:) Good Luck!
— M B.
March 14, 2001
I chew my calcium pills. They don't have any taste. My exit hole from the
pouch has a band which is the size of an M&M, so I take extra
precautions.
— Cindy H.
March 14, 2001
Those pills are so hard that I doubt our bodies can break them down enough
to be of benefit. I've started using liquid and powder forms of calcium
citrate but I like the suggestions of crushing or chewing the pills.
— Kellie L.
March 14, 2001
My calcium supplements come in a capsule. I empty the capsule contents on
a sheet of paper and take it like you would a Goody/Stanback/BC headache
powder.
— [Deactivated Member]
March 14, 2001
In addition to the other suggestions, I've heard that CitraCal has a
chewable supplement available at GNC, etc. I haven't investigated this yet
as I am pre-op, but it might be worth looking into.
— Sharon N.
March 14, 2001
Cindy,
The 1st nutritionist I went to recommended VIACTIV soft calcium chews. They
are 500+D+K and come in caramel and milk chocolate I also know there is a
Mochaccino but I haven't tried it yet. They are very soft and chewy.
Actually taste very good. They are 20 calories each and 1 chew is 1/2 the
daily requirement. Maybe do 1 in the am,1 in pm.Each chew has 3gms sugar. I
got mine at BJ's wholesale club and there are 120 chews in 1 container. I
paid a little over $11.Best wishes and continued success
— Linda M.
March 14, 2001
I take 2 TUMS w/calcium everyday. That provides me with plenty of calcium
and I sort of suck on them and they just dissolve. They don't taste bad
either.
— laceybaby
March 14, 2001
Thanks for all the responses! The only problem I have taking Viactiv and
Tums is that they do not contain the Calcium Citrate. I was told that is
the type of calcium we need to protect us from Osteoporsis. My Doctor said
to take the Citrical if it disolves in water within 15 minutes, which it
does. But the split pills scratch my throat as they go down! Guess I'll
have to just bear with it. I cannot stand to crush them and put them into
my food. I did that enough after surgery!! Yucky
— Cindy K.
March 14, 2001
Cindy,I also have the same problem with the Citrical. I split them in half
but before I swallow them I rub the gagged edge with my tongue. This
smooths the edges enough so they don't scratch on the way down. I just
found some liquid calcium magnesium citrate that I am going to try. It is
made by LifeTime Nutritional Specialties, Inc. I know they have a web site
somewhere but I don't have the address handy. One tablespoon is 600 mg and
you can mix it with any beverage. I hope this works because it will cut
out a lot of pill swallowing! Good luck.
— Helen C.
March 14, 2001
I think I read somewhere that there is a liquid Calcium supplement. I don't
know if it is calcium citrate however. Does anyone know of this?
— Kristy J.
April 19, 2001
Yes, there is a liquid calcium citrate supplement.
It is made by Life Time and containtes calcium, magnesium
and vitamin D. It is the consistency of milk of magnesia.
I mix it in a little milk or juice.
— C B.
April 20, 2001
My calcium citrate is in a capsule. 500mg calc PER PILL, with D & mag.
So, I only need 3 per day. I'm way too lazy (& cheap) to take the
Citracal any more, though I did when I first got the diagnosis of
osteoporosis.
— vitalady
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