Drug interactions
Calcium + Chloroquine
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Chloroquine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Antacids and calcium salts can reduce absorption of chloroquine. Lower exposure could compromise antimalarial or antirheumatic efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Chloroquine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Calcium belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Chloroquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Antacids reduce chloroquine absorption in the gut, through binding and altered gastric pH.
What to do
Separate chloroquine and calcium products by at least 4 hours.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Calcium
- Calcium + Ceftriaxone Contraindicated
- Acalabrutinib + Calcium Moderate
- Alendronate + Calcium Moderate
- Atazanavir + Calcium Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Calcium Moderate
- Bendroflumethiazide + Calcium Moderate
Other interactions of Chloroquine
- Chloroquine + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Panobinostat Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Chloroquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Chloroquine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Antacids and calcium salts can reduce absorption of chloroquine. Lower exposure could compromise antimalarial or antirheumatic efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Chloroquine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate chloroquine and calcium products by at least 4 hours.
What other medicines interact with Calcium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Calcium with, for example, Ceftriaxone, Acalabrutinib, Alendronate. The full list is on the Calcium page.
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