Yes, each Caltrate tablet contains 600 mg of elemental calcium.
According to the FDA drug label, each Caltrate tablet provides 600 mg of elemental calcium (as calcium carbonate), which represents 46% of the daily value 1.
Understanding Elemental Calcium vs. Calcium Compound
This is an important distinction that often causes confusion:
- Calcium carbonate is the compound form (CaCO₃) that contains only 40% elemental calcium by weight 2
- To deliver 600 mg of elemental calcium, the tablet must contain approximately 1,500 mg of calcium carbonate
- The 600 mg figure on the Caltrate label specifically refers to the elemental calcium content, not the total weight of the calcium carbonate compound
Clinical Context
The elemental calcium content is what matters for meeting dietary requirements:
- Women over 50 and men over 70 require 1,200 mg of elemental calcium per day 2
- Younger adults (19-50 years) need 1,000 mg of elemental calcium daily 2
- One Caltrate tablet therefore provides 50% of the daily requirement for older adults, or 60% for younger adults
Common Pitfall to Avoid
When comparing calcium supplements, always check the elemental calcium content, not the total weight of the calcium salt. Different calcium formulations have vastly different elemental calcium percentages:
- Calcium carbonate: 40% elemental calcium 2
- Calcium citrate: 21% elemental calcium 2
- Calcium gluconate: 9% elemental calcium 2
This is why Caltrate uses calcium carbonate—it's the most concentrated and cost-effective form for delivering elemental calcium 2.