Drug interactions
Calcium + Dolutegravir
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Dolutegravir: 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
Calcium in supplements or antacids can bind dolutegravir in the gut and lower its absorption. This may reduce antiviral exposure and risk virologic failure or resistance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Dolutegravir 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; Dolutegravir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Chelation of dolutegravir by polyvalent calcium cations in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.
What to do
Give dolutegravir 2 hours before or 6 hours after calcium-containing products. Alternatively, take them together with a meal, as labeling permits for calcium and iron supplements.
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 Dolutegravir
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Dolutegravir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Dolutegravir 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 in supplements or antacids can bind dolutegravir in the gut and lower its absorption. This may reduce antiviral exposure and risk virologic failure or resistance.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Dolutegravir?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give dolutegravir 2 hours before or 6 hours after calcium-containing products. Alternatively, take them together with a meal, as labeling permits for calcium and iron supplements.
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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