Drug interactions
Calcium + Hydrocortisone
Severity: Minor
Calcium and Hydrocortisone: minor 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
Systemic corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone reduce intestinal calcium absorption and increase urinary calcium loss, contributing to bone loss during long-term therapy. Calcium supplementation is often used to offset this. Short courses are rarely significant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Hydrocortisone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Calcium belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids decrease intestinal calcium absorption and increase renal calcium excretion.
What to do
Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during long-term therapy and monitor bone density.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Calcium and Hydrocortisone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Systemic corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone reduce intestinal calcium absorption and increase urinary calcium loss, contributing to bone loss during long-term therapy. Calcium supplementation is often used to offset this. Short courses are rarely significant.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake during long-term therapy and monitor bone density.
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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