Calcium is an important mineral needed to help strengthen bones and teeth, and it also plays a role in regulating muscle and nerve function. Many people take calcium supplements to prevent calcium deficiency. Calcium supplements, however, including those taken over-the-counter, can cause interactions with certain medications, so you should always tell your doctor about calcium or other supplements that you take before starting a new medication.
Drug Absorption Interference
In some cases, taking calcium along with medications can lower the blood levels and effectiveness of the medication. This happens if calcium binds to the drug and makes it harder for the intestines to absorb orally taken medications. For example, calcium can bind to fluoroquinolones, an antibiotic, which means that if you take calcium supplements along with fluoroquinolones, you may have trouble overcoming bacterial infections, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Calcium can also interfere with the absorption of bisphosphonates, a medication used to treat osteoporosis and levothyroxine.
Increased Calcium Levels
Some drugs can cause calcium levels in the body to increase, EMedTV reports. Thiazide diuretics can cause calcium levels in the blood to increase, as can skin creams which contain calcipotriene. If you take calcium supplements along with medications which raise calcium levels, you may develop dangerously high concentrations of calcium in your blood, also known as hypercalcemia. Hypercalcemia can cause nausea, constipation, muscle cramping and weakness, fatigue, confusion, excessive urination and extreme thirst.
Decreased Calcium Levels
Other medications cause calcium levels in the body to drop. For example, if you take H2 receptor blockers or proton pump inhibitors for the treatment of acid reflux, your ability to absorb calcium may be impaired due to reduced amounts of stomach acid, particularly if you take calcium carbonate supplements. Long-term use of corticosteroids may also require you to take calcium supplements, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes. Loop diuretics can increase the amount of calcium which your body excretes, which may also require you to take additional calcium.
Toxic Interactions
In some cases, calcium and prescription medications can cause a toxic reaction. For example, if you take digoxin for the treatment of an irregular heartbeat, high levels of calcium may cause you to develop a toxic reaction to the medication. On the other hand, low calcium levels can make digoxin less effective, so your doctor may need to monitor your calcium levels. Newborns should also not be given intravenous calcium along with the antibiotic ceftriaxone, as this can cause lung and kidney problems.
Member Comments