Calcium carbonate 1250 mg/1260 mg: an effective phosphate binder.

Calcium carbonate is currently the first choice phosphate binder in renal failure. In the UK its most widely prescribed formulation is a combination of calcium carbonate 420 mg and glycine 180 mg (Titralac 3M Riker). In order to achieve adequate reduction in the serum phosphate level, up to 12 of these tablets may be required daily. In a group of seven patients, we have compared Titralac with two alternative preparations containing calcium carbonate 1250 mg (Calcium-500 Macarthy's Medical Ltd) and calcium carbonate 1260 mg (Calcichew Shire Pharmaceuticals Ltd). Given at a third of the daily number of Titralac tablets, both these newer preparations were effective phosphate binders and produced no statistically significant change in serum calcium and phosphate. The important advantage of such a reduced tablet load is improved patient compliance with phosphate binder therapy. Calcium-500 is also a cost-effective treatment slightly reducing the cost when compared with combined calcium carbonate 420 mg and glycine 180 mg.