Drug interactions
Calcium + Polysaccharide iron
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Polysaccharide iron: 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 can reduce the absorption of oral polysaccharide iron and may blunt the response to iron therapy. Polysaccharide iron is less pH-dependent than ferrous salts, so the effect is likely smaller.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Polysaccharide iron 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
Decreased iron absorption from higher gastric pH and calcium competition at intestinal uptake sites.
What to do
Take iron at least 2 hours before or after calcium, and monitor ferritin and hemoglobin.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Calcium and Polysaccharide iron, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Polysaccharide iron?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Polysaccharide iron 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 can reduce the absorption of oral polysaccharide iron and may blunt the response to iron therapy. Polysaccharide iron is less pH-dependent than ferrous salts, so the effect is likely smaller.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Polysaccharide iron?
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 iron at least 2 hours before or after calcium, and monitor ferritin and hemoglobin.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
