Q: I would like to know about Os-Cal 500 mg tablets. Is there any harm in taking it during second or third trimester of pregnancy as I read on the internet that pills containing oyster shell or bone must be avoided. My wife is taking them for the past 3 or 4 days. Age 29, height 5.2 and weight 65kgs.

A:I see no reason for your wife to take calcium supplementation in the form of Oscal. The calcium requirement of the body is usually met from nutritional food such as milk or curd. Calcium supplementation is required only if there is deficiency. Furthermore, the possibility of germs being transferred from oyster shell can not be ruled out. If at all calcium supplementation is required, one can use calcium carbonate preparation such as Trical-D 250, one tablet daily.