Drug interactions
Calcium + Risedronate
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Risedronate: 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 risedronate absorption, which may weaken its effect on bone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Risedronate 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; Risedronate belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Calcium forms insoluble chelates with risedronate in the gut, inhibiting absorption.
What to do
Take risedronate with plain water at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day and take calcium at a different time, ideally later in the day.
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 Risedronate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Risedronate Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Risedronate Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Risedronate Moderate
- Calcium chloride + Risedronate Moderate
- Calcium citrate + Risedronate Moderate
- Calcium gluconate + Risedronate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Risedronate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Risedronate 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 risedronate absorption, which may weaken its effect on bone.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Risedronate?
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 risedronate with plain water at least 30 minutes before the first food or drink of the day and take calcium at a different time, ideally later in the day.
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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