The Lowdown on Calcium Supplements

Calcium Interactions with Drugs and Other Supplements

Could a calcium supplement have harmful effects?

If your calcium supplement is combined with other vitamins, over the counter medications or prescription drugs, there may be negative, contradicting or harmful effects.

For example:

• Calcium supplements may reduce the absorption of the antibiotic tetracycline. C
• Calcium interferes with iron absorption. So you should not take a calcium supplement at the same time as an iron supplement – unless the calcium supplement is calcium citrate, or if the iron supplement is taken with vitamin C.
• Any medication that you need to take on an empty stomach should not be taken with calcium supplements.

Talk with a doctor or pharmacist about possible interactions between the other vitamins you take, any over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications you are on, and their possible interactions with calcium supplements to be sure you are getting only the positive advantages from your calcium supplement.

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