Oral calcium

Pregnancy & gynaecology-specific. Every dose row is source-referenced; verify against institutional protocols.

Oral calciumMineral supplement

Regimens checked: 2026-10-17. Each indication has its own preparation, limits and safety checks.

Oral calcium: indication-specific regimens
Indication	Dose	Route	Frequency	Duration / preparation	Maximum	Monitoring / cautions
WHO prevention of pre-eclampsia in populations with low dietary calcium intake WHOsummary checked	1.5–2 g ELEMENTAL calcium per day; a practical 1.5 g schedule is 500 mg three times daily	Oral	Three divided doses, preferably with meals	During pregnancy; starting time and postpartum continuation should be documented for the national programme used · Read elemental calcium on the label: salt weight is not elemental calcium. Use 500 mg elemental-calcium tablets for the example schedule; separate iron by several hours and levothyroxine by 4–5 hours WHO notes that evidence does not establish one optimal start time; supplementation may begin at the first antenatal contact.	2 g/day supplemental elemental calcium in this WHO regimen; count all supplements and assess renal/stone risk	Monitor Dietary intake, adherence, renal disease and duplicate calcium/vitamin-D products Contraindications / cautions Hypercalcaemia; renal impairment or recurrent calcium stones require individual assessment

Pregnancy safety

WHO low-intake population recommendation; assess renal/stone risk

Lactation

Assess diet and total supplemental dose