Drug interactions
Calcium + Ibandronate
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Ibandronate: 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 markedly reduces absorption of oral ibandronate, which may weaken its antiresorptive effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Ibandronate 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; Ibandronate belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Calcium forms insoluble chelates with the bisphosphonate in the gut, inhibiting absorption.
What to do
Take oral ibandronate after an overnight fast with plain water and delay calcium supplements for at least 60 minutes afterward. IV ibandronate is not affected.
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 Ibandronate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium chloride + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium citrate + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium gluconate + Ibandronate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Ibandronate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Ibandronate 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 markedly reduces absorption of oral ibandronate, which may weaken its antiresorptive effect.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Ibandronate?
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 oral ibandronate after an overnight fast with plain water and delay calcium supplements for at least 60 minutes afterward. IV ibandronate is not affected.
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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