Drug interactions
Calcium + Ferrous gluconate
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Ferrous gluconate: 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 supplements, particularly the carbonate salt, can lower absorption of oral ferrous gluconate. Iron repletion may be slower than expected.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Ferrous gluconate 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; Ferrous gluconate belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Calcium competes with iron for intestinal absorption and carbonate raises gastric pH, decreasing iron solubility.
What to do
Take iron at least 2 hours apart from calcium. Monitor hemoglobin and ferritin.
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 Ferrous gluconate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Ferrous gluconate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Ferrous gluconate 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 supplements, particularly the carbonate salt, can lower absorption of oral ferrous gluconate. Iron repletion may be slower than expected.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Ferrous gluconate?
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 iron at least 2 hours apart from calcium. Monitor hemoglobin and ferritin.
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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