Drug interactions
Calcium gluconate + Levothyroxine
Severity: Moderate
Calcium gluconate and Levothyroxine: 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 gluconate can bind levothyroxine in the intestine and lower its absorption, risking under-replacement and a rise in TSH. The interaction applies to oral use of both drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium gluconate and Levothyroxine 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 gluconate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Levothyroxine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Calcium forms insoluble complexes with levothyroxine in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Separate oral doses by at least 4 hours. Monitor TSH after starting, stopping or changing the calcium dose.
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 Levothyroxine
Other interactions of Calcium gluconate
- Calcium gluconate + Ceftriaxone Contraindicated
- Calcium gluconate + Digoxin Major
- Alendronate + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-atorvastatin + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Calcium gluconate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium gluconate with Levothyroxine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium gluconate and Levothyroxine 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 gluconate can bind levothyroxine in the intestine and lower its absorption, risking under-replacement and a rise in TSH. The interaction applies to oral use of both drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium gluconate and Levothyroxine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate oral doses by at least 4 hours. Monitor TSH after starting, stopping or changing the calcium dose.
What other medicines interact with Levothyroxine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levothyroxine with, for example, Cholestyramine, Sodium iodide i-131, Tiratricol. The full list is on the Levothyroxine page.
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