Calcium supplements may be a bonus for bone health.
But if youre taking these medications, your supplement might backfire.
Abbey Littlejohn
Calcium is a vital mineral essential for strong bones and teeth.
Photo:Abbey Littlejohn
While calcium supplements can be beneficial, it’s important to know how they may interact with certain medications.
Levothyroxine
One medication that may interact with calcium supplements is levothyroxine, commonly used to treat thyroid disorders.
This may reduce levothyroxines effectiveness, which may potentially require dosing adjustments to maintain optimal thyroid hormone levels.
It may also be necessary to adjust the timing of your medication.
This binding inhibits absorption of the medication, making it less effective against infection.
Omeprazole works by reducing stomach acid production, which may influence the absorption of various nutrients, including calcium.
Thiazide Diuretics
Thiazide diuretics are primarily used to treat hypertension and edema.
These medications work by reducing fluid retention and lowering blood pressure.
If you take thiazide diuretics and are considering a calcium supplement, speak with your health care provider first.
Iron Supplements
Ironis an essential mineral that supports various bodily functions, including the production of hemoglobin.
Taking iron and calcium supplements at different times of the day may mitigate this interaction.
Just because calcium is natural doesnt mean that it is necessarily safe for everyone.
The truth is that calcium can interact with certain medications, influencing their effectiveness or causing harmful side effects.
Keep in mind that just like calcium supplements,calcium-rich foodscan also affect the absorption of certain medications.
Your health care provider can also tell you which form of calcium to look for in your supplement.
Calcium supplements come in various forms, like calcium carbonate and calcium citrate, says Rauch.
Certain forms are recommended for those who are on medications that impact stomach acidity, she says.
This may alter their therapeutic effects, especially those that require precise dosing.
This proactive approach can prevent complications and ensure that your medications work optimally.
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Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium - Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
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Akbari P, Khorasani-Zadeh A.Thiazide Diuretics.
StatPearls Publishing; 2024
National Institutes of Health.
2021;151(5):1084-1101. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxaa437.
