Drug interactions
Calcium + Itraconazole
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Itraconazole: 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 carbonate raises gastric pH, which reduces dissolution and absorption of itraconazole capsules. This can lead to subtherapeutic antifungal levels and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Itraconazole 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; Itraconazole belongs to Anti Fungals.
Why it happens
Increased gastric pH impairs dissolution of itraconazole capsules, decreasing oral absorption.
What to do
Give itraconazole capsules at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after calcium antacids, or use the oral solution, which is less pH dependent. Monitor clinical response or drug levels in serious infections.
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 Itraconazole
- Alfuzosin + Itraconazole Contraindicated
- Alprazolam + Itraconazole Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Itraconazole Contraindicated
- Conivaptan + Itraconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Itraconazole Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Itraconazole Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Itraconazole?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Itraconazole 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 carbonate raises gastric pH, which reduces dissolution and absorption of itraconazole capsules. This can lead to subtherapeutic antifungal levels and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Itraconazole?
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 itraconazole capsules at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after calcium antacids, or use the oral solution, which is less pH dependent. Monitor clinical response or drug levels in serious infections.
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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