Drug interactions
Calcium + Etidronate
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Etidronate: 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
Oral calcium forms poorly absorbed complexes with etidronate in the gut, reducing the amount of bisphosphonate absorbed. This can lessen its effect on bone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Etidronate 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; Etidronate belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Divalent calcium chelates the bisphosphonate in the gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting its absorption.
What to do
Take etidronate on an empty stomach and separate it from calcium-containing products by at least 2 hours, as directed by the product labeling.
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 Etidronate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Etidronate Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Etidronate Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Etidronate Moderate
- Calcium chloride + Etidronate Moderate
- Calcium citrate + Etidronate Moderate
- Calcium gluconate + Etidronate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Etidronate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Etidronate 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. Oral calcium forms poorly absorbed complexes with etidronate in the gut, reducing the amount of bisphosphonate absorbed. This can lessen its effect on bone.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Etidronate?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Take etidronate on an empty stomach and separate it from calcium-containing products by at least 2 hours, as directed by the product labeling.
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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