Vitamin D Interactions
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The following are the medications and supplements that are more likely to cause a reaction with vitamin D supplements:
- Antacids with aluminium
Antacids containing aluminium may reduce the absorption of vitamin D from foods eaten or even from sunshine, so people taking these medications may require supplementation to prevent a deficiency of vitamin D. These antacids also reduce absorption of the other fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin K). - Antacids with magnesium
People taking antacids containing magnesium should not take vitamin D supplements, as this combination can cause an elevation of levels of magnesium in the blood and possible toxicity symptoms due to the excess of magnesium, especially in people with any type of kidney disease. - Anticonvulsants (phenobarbitol)
People taking anticonvulsants such as phenobarbitol, may become deficient in vitamin D, as these medications can reduce the amount if vitamin D that is absorbed from foods or even from sunshine. Supplementation may be required to prevent adverse effects on bone. - Barbituates
People taking barbituates may become deficient in vitamin D, as these medications can reduce the amount if vitamin D that is absorbed from foods or even from sunshine. Supplementation may be required to prevent adverse effects on bone.
- Calcitonin
People taking calcitonin for treating hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels) should not take vitamin D supplements at the same time, as the vitamin D can decrease the effect of the calcitonin and inactivate this medication.
- Calcium
People taking really high levels of calcium supplements should not also take high vitamin D supplements as this combination can cause high blood calcium levels (hypercalcaemia) because the vitamin D helps the body better absorb calcium to a high degree.
- Cholestyramine
People taking cholestyramine for reducing high LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels may need vitamin D supplementation as this medication can block absorption of vitamin D and possibly cause deficiency.
- Colestipol
People taking colestipol for reducing high LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels may need vitamin D supplementation as this medication can block absorption of vitamin D and possibly cause deficiency.
Vitamin D interacts with many types of medications and supplements
- Cortisone and corticosteroids
People taking cortisone and corticosteroids medications for inflammatory disorders may vitamin D supplementation as this medication can reduce absorption of vitamin D and possibly cause deficiency. - Digitalis preparations
People taking digitalis preparations for congestive heart failure should not take vitamin D supplements at all, as the vitamin D supplements combined with this medication can cause irregular heartbeat, which is not helpful for people with this type of heart condition. - Diuretics, thiazide
People taking diuretics or thiazide should not take vitamin D supplements as this combination can cause high blood calcium levels (hypercalcaemia) because the vitamin D ensues the body better absorbs any calcium intake to a high degree. - Hydantoin
People taking hydantoin may become deficient in vitamin D, as these medications can reduce the amount if vitamin D that is absorbed from foods or even from sunshine. Supplementation may be required to prevent adverse effects on bone. - Neomycin
People taking neomycin, an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infection may have can decreased absorption and/or increased elimination of vitamin D, especially if the neomycin is taken long term, in which case supplementation may be required. - Phosphorus-containing medicines
People taking phosphorus-containing medicines should not take vitamin D as this combination can cause elevated levels of phosphorus to be accumulated in the blood and possible toxicity symptoms due to the excess of phosphorus. - Primidone
People taking primidone may become deficient in vitamin D, as these medications can reduce the amount if vitamin D that is absorbed from foods or even from sunshine. Supplementation may be required to prevent adverse effects on bone. - Vitamin D derivatives
People taking vitamin D derivatives such as calciferol, cacitrol, dihydrotachysterol or egrocalciferol should not also take vitamin D supplements (especially if they are high) because the combined effect of these can cause excessive vitamin D levels in the body and increase risk for toxicity symptoms.