Drug interactions
Calcium carbonate + Hydrocortisone
Severity: Minor
Calcium carbonate and Hydrocortisone: minor 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
Corticosteroids reduce intestinal calcium absorption and increase urinary calcium excretion, which can offset the benefit of calcium supplements. With long-term steroid therapy this contributes to bone loss. The effect is of limited importance in short courses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium carbonate and Hydrocortisone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Calcium carbonate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids decrease gastrointestinal calcium absorption and increase renal calcium excretion.
What to do
Continue calcium and vitamin D supplementation during long-term hydrocortisone therapy and assess bone health. No change is needed for short courses.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Other interactions of Calcium carbonate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium carbonate with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Calcium carbonate and Hydrocortisone have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Corticosteroids reduce intestinal calcium absorption and increase urinary calcium excretion, which can offset the benefit of calcium supplements. With long-term steroid therapy this contributes to bone loss. The effect is of limited importance in short courses.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium carbonate and Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Continue calcium and vitamin D supplementation during long-term hydrocortisone therapy and assess bone health. No change is needed for short courses.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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