What is the brand name for Calcium?
The most common brand name for Calcium is Tums / Caltrate.
PTCB TOP 200 · #200
Calcium
Tums / Caltrate
Calcium is the generic name for the brand-name drug Tums. It is a calcium supplement used to treat heartburn, calcium supplement. On the PTCE Top 200 drug list, Calcium ranks #200 and is one of the most frequently tested vitamins/minerals/supplements medications — commonly quizzed on its brand–generic pair, drug class, and key side effects.
| Generic name | Calcium |
|---|---|
| Brand name(s) | Tums / Caltrate |
| Drug class | Calcium supplement |
| Class group | Vitamins/Minerals/Supplements |
| Common use | heartburn, calcium supplement |
| DEA schedule | Unscheduled |
| Availability | Over-the-counter (OTC) |
What is Calcium used for?
Dietary supplement for calcium replacement; used to support bone health and as an antacid in some OTC products (product-specific).
What drug class is Calcium?
Calcium is a Calcium supplement in the Vitamins/Minerals/Supplements group. Knowing the class is the fastest way to predict its uses, side effects, and the brand↔generic pairs the PTCE tests.
Common side effects of Calcium
- arrow_rightConstipation
- arrow_rightGas
- arrow_rightBloating
- arrow_rightNausea
Major interactions
- arrow_rightTetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics (reduced absorption; separate dosing)
- arrow_rightLevothyroxine (reduced absorption; separate dosing)
- arrow_rightBisphosphonates (reduced absorption; separate dosing)
- arrow_rightIron supplements (mutual absorption interference; separate dosing)
Is Calcium a controlled substance?
No. Calcium is not a federally controlled substance (it is unscheduled by the DEA).
How to remember Calcium (PTCE mnemonic)
TUMS = 'TUM-acid neutralizer' — calcium carbonate is fast antacid + bone supplement. Take with food (carbonate); ↑constipation, ↑kidney stones; SEPARATE 4hr from levothyroxine, tetracyclines, quinolones, bisphosphonates, iron.
lightbulb
PTCE exam tip
Calcium carbonate needs stomach ACID (take with food) while citrate doesn't — and calcium must be separated from levothyroxine, iron, and tetracyclines: the classic spacing question.
Calcium FAQ
What is Calcium used for?
Calcium is used to treat heartburn, calcium supplement. Dietary supplement for calcium replacement; used to support bone health and as an antacid in some OTC products (product-specific).
What drug class is Calcium?
Calcium is a Calcium supplement (Vitamins/Minerals/Supplements group).
Is Calcium a controlled substance?
No. Calcium is not a federally controlled substance (it is unscheduled by the DEA).
Study guides that cover Calcium
Free, in-depth guides to the patterns behind this drug — no app needed.
Drug suffix cheat sheetthe suffix that gives away this drug's class
How to memorize the Top 200 drugsa method for locking in brand↔generic pairs
What changed on the 2026 PTCB examthe new domain weights for 2026
How hard is the PTCE?what the pass rate really meansSee all PTCE study guides or browse the full Top 200 drug list.
Drill Calcium the way the PTCE asks it
RxReflex turns the Top 200 drugs into fast flashcard rounds, a guided Learn path, pharmacy math, and 40+ cheat sheets. Free to start.
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Written and reviewed by the RxReflex Content Team. Educational use only — not medical advice. Verify clinical specifics with your pharmacist or a current label source such as DailyMed. RxReflex is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).