Comprehensive medication guide to Florical including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
Most health insurance plans including Medicare Part D do not cover Florical, as it is classified as an OTC dietary supplement rather than an FDA-approved drug. FSA and HSA accounts may cover it when recommended for a diagnosed medical condition such as otosclerosis.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$15–$25 for a 100-capsule bottle; $55–$75 for the 500-capsule bulk bottle. As a dietary supplement, prescription discount cards do not apply. Available online through Amazon, Walgreens.com, Target, and directly from Mericon Industries.
Medfinder Findability Score
60/100
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Florical is a brand-name dietary supplement manufactured by Mericon Industries, Inc. (Peoria, Illinois) that combines two active ingredients: sodium fluoride (3.75 mg fluoride per capsule) and calcium carbonate (145 mg calcium per capsule, from oyster shell). It is available over the counter in 100-capsule and 500-capsule bottles.
Florical is most commonly recommended by ENT specialists (otolaryngologists) for the management of otosclerosis — a condition involving abnormal bone remodeling in the inner ear that causes progressive hearing loss. It is also used for general bone health, osteoporosis prevention, and dental strength support.
Florical is not an FDA-approved drug — it is classified as a dietary supplement under DSHEA. It is not a controlled substance and does not require a prescription.
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Florical works through its two complementary active ingredients. Sodium fluoride slows abnormal bone resorption by inhibiting acid phenylphosphatase, the enzyme overactive in otosclerosis, while simultaneously stimulating osteoblasts (bone-building cells) to produce new, denser bone. Fluoride ions incorporate into the bone mineral structure as fluorapatite, making bone harder and more resistant to breakdown.
Calcium carbonate provides the essential mineral building blocks needed for the new bone that sodium fluoride promotes. It also prevents hypocalcemia (low blood calcium) that can occur when higher fluoride doses increase bone mineral demand.
For otosclerosis, consistent treatment over 6+ months is required before hearing stabilization can be assessed. Active-disease protocols typically call for 2 years of full-dose therapy before reducing to maintenance dosing. Florical does not reverse existing hearing loss but may slow progressive deterioration.
3.75 mg fluoride / 145 mg calcium — capsule
Standard OTC dose: 1 capsule daily for bone health and maintenance
3.75 mg fluoride / 145 mg calcium (active dose) — capsule
Active otosclerosis treatment: 2 capsules three times daily (6 capsules/day) for 2 years, then reduced to 1 capsule daily for maintenance
Florical receives a findability score of 60/100 — it is available but requires more effort to find than common medications. It is not on the FDA drug shortage list, and Mericon Industries continues to manufacture and distribute it. The challenge is that most chain pharmacies do not consistently stock it due to low per-location demand.
For many patients, the easiest path is online ordering through Amazon (100-count and 500-count bottles), Walgreens.com, Target.com, or directly from mericonindustries.com. For same-day local pickup, patients can check pharmacy websites for in-store availability or use a service that contacts local pharmacies on their behalf.
medfinder contacts local pharmacies on your behalf to find which ones have Florical in stock, then texts you the results — saving you time on hold.
Florical does not require a prescription — it is available over the counter. However, because the higher-dose otosclerosis treatment protocol requires medical supervision, it is typically recommended or guided by a specialist. Any licensed physician, NP, or PA can recommend it.
Providers who commonly recommend Florical include:
Initial otosclerosis diagnosis requires in-person audiological evaluation and physical examination — telehealth cannot independently diagnose the condition. However, follow-up management and Florical guidance can often be handled via telehealth once treatment is established.
No. Florical is not a controlled substance under the DEA's Controlled Substances Act. It has no DEA schedule, no prescription requirement, and is sold freely over the counter at pharmacies and online retailers. There are no restrictions on purchasing quantities, refill limits, or geographic distribution.
Florical is classified as a dietary supplement under DSHEA (the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act). As such, it is regulated by the FDA as a food product rather than a drug, meaning it has not been evaluated for safety and efficacy under the FDA's drug approval process.
Most patients tolerate Florical well. Common side effects include:
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Alendronate (Fosamax)
Bisphosphonate with evidence for otosclerosis hearing preservation; prescription required; generic widely available at $10-30/month; once-weekly oral tablet
Risedronate (Actonel)
Bisphosphonate alternative to sodium fluoride for otosclerosis; prescription required; 35 mg once weekly; generic available
Calcium Carbonate (Os-Cal, Caltrate, Tums)
Standalone calcium for bone health without fluoride component; widely available OTC at every pharmacy; best for patients who do not need sodium fluoride
Calcium + Vitamin D3 Combination (Citracal + D, Caltrate + D)
Standard bone health supplement combining calcium and Vitamin D for enhanced absorption; widely available OTC; appropriate for general osteoporosis prevention
Prefer Florical? We can find it.
Levothyroxine (Synthroid)
majorCalcium carbonate significantly reduces levothyroxine absorption. Separate by at least 4 hours. Take levothyroxine on an empty stomach first thing in the morning.
Fluoroquinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin)
majorCalcium binds to fluoroquinolones in the gut, significantly reducing antibiotic absorption and effectiveness. Separate by at least 2-3 hours.
Tetracycline antibiotics (doxycycline, minocycline)
majorCalcium chelates tetracycline antibiotics, dramatically reducing absorption. Separate by at least 2-3 hours or consider pausing Florical during antibiotic courses.
Bisphosphonates (alendronate, risedronate)
moderateCalcium reduces bisphosphonate absorption if taken together. Do not combine sodium fluoride and bisphosphonate therapy without physician guidance — these are alternative approaches to bone disease management.
Iron supplements
moderateCalcium can inhibit iron absorption. Separate Florical from iron supplements by at least 2 hours.
Zinc and magnesium supplements
minorHigh-dose calcium may compete with zinc and magnesium for absorption. Separate by 1-2 hours if taking these minerals.
Florical is a unique supplement with an important clinical role — it is the only widely available OTC combination of sodium fluoride and calcium in this formulation, and it has decades of use in the management of otosclerosis. While it's not an FDA-approved drug and its evidence base has limitations, it remains a meaningful option for patients with active cochlear otosclerosis who are not surgical candidates or who prefer a conservative approach.
The main challenge with Florical is not its clinical utility but its findability — many patients are frustrated by the difficulty of locating it at local pharmacies. Online purchasing, especially the 500-capsule bulk bottle, solves this problem for most patients. For those who need same-day local access, knowing which pharmacies near you stock it is the key to uninterrupted treatment.
If you're struggling to find Florical near you, medfinder contacts local pharmacies on your behalf and texts you results — so you can focus on your health, not your pharmacy search.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
Real-time availability
Medfinder is actively checking pharmacy inventory for Florical. We don't publish a number until we have enough verified pharmacy checks to be accurate — start a search and our team confirms current availability near you, usually within 24 hours.
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