Drug interactions
Calcium + Lily of the valley
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Lily of the valley: 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
Lily of the valley contains cardiac glycosides, and hypercalcemia increases the risk of digitalis-type toxicity and arrhythmias. Parenteral calcium in particular could therefore be hazardous with glycoside-containing plants.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Lily of the valley 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.
Why it happens
Elevated extracellular calcium augments the effects of cardiac glycosides on myocardial calcium handling, enhancing arrhythmogenicity.
What to do
Avoid intravenous calcium in patients taking lily of the valley preparations. Monitor ECG and serum calcium if combined.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Lily of the valley?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Lily of the valley 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. Lily of the valley contains cardiac glycosides, and hypercalcemia increases the risk of digitalis-type toxicity and arrhythmias. Parenteral calcium in particular could therefore be hazardous with glycoside-containing plants.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Lily of the valley?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid intravenous calcium in patients taking lily of the valley preparations. Monitor ECG and serum calcium if combined.
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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