Acamprosate calcium Health Dictionary

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Acamprosate Calcium: From 1 Different Sources

a drug used, in conjunction with counselling, for the maintenance of sobriety. Patients must already be abstinent at the beginning of treatment. The most common side-effect is diarrhoea.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Calcium

The metallic element present in chalk and other forms of lime. The chief preparations used in medicine are calcium carbonate (chalk), calcium chloride, calcium gluconate, calcium hydroxide (slaked lime), liquor of calcium hydroxide (lime-water), calcium lactate, and calcium phosphate. Calcium gluconate is freely soluble in water and is used in conditions in which calcium should be given by injection.

Calcium is a most important element in diet; the chief sources of it are milk and cheese. Calcium is especially needed by the growing child and the pregnant and nursing mother. The uptake of calcium by the baby is helped by vitamin D (see APPENDIX 5: VITAMINS). A de?ciency of calcium may cause TETANY, and an excess may result in the development of CALCULI (stones) in the KIDNEYS or gallbladder (see LIVER).

The recommended daily intakes of calcium are: 500 mg for children, 700 mg for adolescents, 500–900 mg for adults and 1,200 mg for pregnant or nursing mothers.... calcium

Calcium-channel Blockers

Calcium-channel blockers inhibit the inward ?ow of calcium through the specialised slow channels of cardiac and arterial smooth-muscle cells. By thus relaxing the smooth muscle, they have important applications in the treatment of HYPERTENSION and ANGINA PECTORIS. Various types of calcium-channel blockers are available in the United Kingdom; these di?er in their sites of action, leading to notable di?erences in their therapeutic effects. All the drugs are rapidly and completely absorbed, but extensive ?rst-pass metabolism in the liver reduces bioavailability to around one-?fth. Their hypotensive e?ect is additive with that of beta blockers (see BETA-ADRENOCEPTOR-BLOCKING DRUGS); the two should, therefore, be used together with great caution – if at all. Calcium-channel blockers are particularly useful when beta blockers are contraindicated, for example in asthmatics. However, they should be prescribed for hypertension only when THIAZIDES and beta blockers have failed, are contraindicated or not tolerated.

Verapamil, the longest-available, is used to treat angina and hypertension. It is the only calcium-channel blocker e?ective against cardiac ARRHYTHMIA and it is the drug of choice in terminating supraventricular tachycardia. It may precipitate heart failure, and cause HYPOTENSION at high doses. Nifedipine and diltiazem act more on the vessels and less on the myocardium than verapamil; they have no antiarrhythmic activity. They are used in the prophylaxis and treatment of angina, and in hypertension. Nicardipine and similar drugs act mainly on the vessels, but are valuable in the treatment of hypertension and angina. Important di?erences exist between di?erent calcium-channel blockers so their use must be carefully assessed. They should not be stopped suddenty, as this may precipitate angina. (See also HEART, DISEASES OF.)... calcium-channel blockers

Calcium Gluconate

A salt of the element CALCIUM used to treat de?ciency of the mineral or to prevent osteoporosis (see BONE, DISORDERS OF). Tablets can be obtained without a doctor’s prescription. It is used intravenously to treat low calcium levels causing symptoms in newborn babies.... calcium gluconate

Calcium-channel Blocker

(calcium antagonist) a drug that inhibits the influx of calcium ions into cardiac and smooth-muscle cells; it therefore reduces the strength of heart-muscle contraction, reduces conduction of impulses in the heart, and causes *vasodilatation. Calcium-channel blockers, which include *amlodipine, *diltiazem, *nicardipine, *nifedipine, and *verapamil, are used to treat angina and high blood pressure.... calcium-channel blocker

Calcium Pyrophosphate Deposition Disease

a condition in which calcium pyrophosphate is deposited in joints. The most common manifestation is *pseudogout, marked by acute pain, redness, and swelling resembling gout. Alternatively it may be asymptomatic in association with *chondrocalcinosis seen on X-ray, it may occur with osteoarthritis in the affected joint, or there may be chronic inflammation of the joint.... calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease

Calcium Score

a quantification of the amount of calcium seen in the coronary arteries on a CT scan, calcium being a marker of severe coronary artery disease.... calcium score

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