Drug interactions
Calcium + Nifedipine
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Nifedipine: 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
Intravenous calcium can blunt the antihypertensive and vasodilating effects of nifedipine. Oral calcium at supplement doses is rarely clinically significant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Nifedipine 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; Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Increased extracellular calcium opposes L-type calcium channel blockade (pharmacodynamic antagonism).
What to do
Monitor blood pressure when IV calcium is given with nifedipine and adjust therapy if control is lost. Routine oral calcium needs no change.
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 Nifedipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Nifedipine 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. Intravenous calcium can blunt the antihypertensive and vasodilating effects of nifedipine. Oral calcium at supplement doses is rarely clinically significant.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure when IV calcium is given with nifedipine and adjust therapy if control is lost. Routine oral calcium needs no change.
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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