Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by Rugby
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.
Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry is a dietary supplement by Rugby with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for bone health and osteoporosis prevention, dietary calcium deficiency, heartburn relief (calcium carbonate antacids).Based on those ingredients, 168 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Calcium. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.
Check Your Meds Against Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry by Rugby
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AI summaries are generated from our interaction database for education only — always confirm with your pharmacist. How we use AI
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HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry by Rugby
Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry is a single-ingredient supplement: calcium, 500 mg per tablet. Calcium is a mineral your body needs for bone strength, nerve function, and muscle contraction.
The product also contains several inactive ingredients—sucrose, microcrystalline cellulose, citric acid, stearic acid, natural and artificial flavors, vegetable magnesium stearate, and sucralose—that help form and flavor the tablet.
Does it work?
Strong evidence
Calcium is effective for treating low calcium levels (hypocalcemia) and has strong evidence for preventing and treating osteoporosis. It's also considered likely effective for reducing kidney damage in people with kidney failure and for easing indigestion (dyspepsia).
The evidence we hold shows calcium works well for these uses when taken at recommended doses.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Calcium from this supplement is generally well tolerated when you take it at recommended amounts. The most common side effects from oral calcium are belching, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and stomach upset.
Serious side effects are rare but include kidney stones and a skin condition called calciphylaxis. There's also some concern from large population studies that very high intakes of calcium (over 1500–2000 mg daily) may link to prostate cancer risk and possibly to heart disease, though research on this remains mixed and debated.
For pregnancy and breastfeeding, adequate calcium is important during both. Stay within the recommended daily amounts unless your doctor advises more.
The safety rating for pregnancy is likely safe and for breastfeeding shows mixed data—talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what's right for you.
Meds to double-check
Major interaction found
Before taking Calci-Chew, check with your pharmacist or doctor if you take any HIV integrase inhibitors (dolutegravir, elvitegravir, raltegravir), intravenous ceftriaxone, levothyroxine (thyroid hormone), sotalol (heart rhythm drug), calcipotriene (psoriasis cream), or diltiazem (heart medication). These all interact with calcium and may need to be spaced hours apart.
No other interactions are documented for the inactive ingredients we could check.
The bottom line
Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with clinical evidence supporting its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.
Calci-Chew is a straightforward calcium supplement that works for bone health and low calcium levels. If you take HIV medicines, heart medications, thyroid hormone, or certain antibiotics, you'll need to time your doses carefully—this is a product where spacing matters.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting it, especially if you have kidney disease, heart concerns, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI
Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Apr 23, 2020.
This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed
General information
Key facts about Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry, straight from the product label.
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.
Supplement Facts
The label details for Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry by Rugby, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.
Supplement Facts
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 500 mg | 50% |
Other ingredients: Sucrose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, natural artificial Flavors, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Sucralose
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements
New product appearance
50/60
Formula
500 mg chewable tablet Calcium Carbonate
Cherry naturally flavored
FDA Statement of Identity
Dietary Supplement
Precautions
Tamper resistant - Do not use if safety seal under cap is broken or missing
May contain shellfish.
Keep out of reach of children
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions
Directions: One tablet daily as a dietary supplement
Formulation
Free of: Starch, soy, gluten, yeast, preservatives, animal by-products, artificial colors.
Storage
To preserve quality and freshness, keep bottle tightly closed. Store between 15 degrees- 30 degrees C (59 degrees- 86 degrees F).
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry by Rugby label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.
View the full label (PDF)The Ingredients in Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry by Rugby
This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.
Serving size1 Tablet(s) Dosage formTablet Or Pill Amounts shown are per serving.
Calcium
Interacts with168 drugs
Calcium is an essential mineral your body needs for strong bones, nerve signaling, and muscle function, and supplements can help fill gaps when diet f...
Calcium monograph & interactionsOther (inactive) ingredients: Sucrose, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Natural artificial Flavors, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Sucralose. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.
Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry by Rugby Drug Interactions
HelloPharmacist Interaction Report
Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry contains calcium, which interacts with a number of medications.
The most serious concern is with HIV integrase inhibitors like dolutegravir (Tivicay) and elvitegravir (Vitekta)—calcium can cut their blood levels by up to 40%, which may allow the virus to become resistant to treatment. You'll need to separate calcium from these drugs by several hours (2 hours before or 6 hours after for dolutegravir; 2 hours either way for elvitegravir).
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin) given intravenously poses another Major risk: combining it with IV calcium can cause a dangerous salt to form in your lungs and kidneys—these two must be kept 48 hours apart if both are given by vein.
Read the full breakdown — every affected drug type, severity by severity
Calcium also reduces how well your body absorbs other medications. The thyroid hormone levothyroxine (Synthroid) and the heart rhythm drug sotalol (Betapace) both need to be spaced several hours away from calcium to work properly.
Raltegravir (Isentress), another HIV drug, may have lower blood levels when taken with calcium, though the drop is usually modest. Calcipotriene (Dovonex), a vitamin D cream for psoriasis, and diltiazem (Cardizem), a blood pressure and heart medication, may lose some effectiveness or carry a risk of high calcium levels in the blood if combined with supplements.
Although we have no documented interactions for the other inactive ingredients in this product, we hold no interaction data for all of them. Altogether, these interactions span 168 individual medications.
Before you start this supplement, run your exact medications through the checker on this page or talk them over with your doctor or pharmacist.
Check your own medications below · Editorial policy · How we use AI
Want to check YOUR meds against Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry?
Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.
Go to the checkerIngredients driving the most interactions
Individual Drug Interactions
The ingredients in Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry interact with 168 drugs. Click any drug to see the details.
1 of the 1 ingredient in Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry interact with drugs. Each result below shows which ingredient is responsible. Calcium
CeftriaxoneRocephin
How Ceftriaxone interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumCeftriaxone (rocephin) Major
Interaction Summary
Co-administration of intravenous calcium and ceftriaxone can result in precipitation of a ceftriaxone-calcium salt in the lungs and kidneys.
Read the full Calcium + Ceftriaxone interactionCobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide FumarateGenvoya
How Cobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumElvitegravir (vitekta), Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Major
Interaction Summary
Calcium seems to reduce levels of elvitegravir.
Read the full Calcium + Cobicistat, Elvitegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide Fumarate interactionDolutegravirTivicay
How Dolutegravir interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumDolutegravir (tivicay) Major
Interaction Summary
Calcium seems to reduce levels of dolutegravir.
Read the full Calcium + Dolutegravir interactionDolutegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir AlafenamideDolutegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide
How Dolutegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumDolutegravir (tivicay), Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Major
Interaction Summary
Calcium seems to reduce levels of dolutegravir.
Read the full Calcium + Dolutegravir, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Alafenamide interactionDolutegravir, RilpivirineJuluca
How Dolutegravir, Rilpivirine interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumDolutegravir (tivicay) Major
Interaction Summary
Calcium seems to reduce levels of dolutegravir.
Read the full Calcium + Dolutegravir, Rilpivirine interactionElvitegravirVitekta
How Elvitegravir interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumElvitegravir (vitekta) Major
Interaction Summary
Calcium seems to reduce levels of elvitegravir.
Read the full Calcium + Elvitegravir interactionElvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Disoproxil FumarateStribild
How Elvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumElvitegravir (vitekta), Bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir Alafenamide (biktarvy) Major
Interaction Summary
Calcium seems to reduce levels of elvitegravir.
Read the full Calcium + Elvitegravir, Cobicistat, Emtricitabine, Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate interactionAlendronateBinosto, Fosamax
How Alendronate interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumBisphosphonates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium reduces the absorption of bisphosphonates.
Read the full Calcium + Alendronate interactionAlendronate Sodium
How Alendronate Sodium interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumBisphosphonates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium reduces the absorption of bisphosphonates.
Read the full Calcium + Alendronate Sodium interactionAlendronate Sodium, CholecalciferolFosamax Plus D
How Alendronate Sodium, Cholecalciferol interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumBisphosphonates Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium reduces the absorption of bisphosphonates.
Read the full Calcium + Alendronate Sodium, Cholecalciferol interactionAlginic Acid, Aluminum HydroxideRafton
How Alginic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Alginic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide interactionAluminum Acetate, Benzethonium ChlorideBuro-Sol Otic Solution
How Aluminum Acetate, Benzethonium Chloride interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum Acetate, Benzethonium Chloride interactionAluminum ChlorideAluminum Chloride, Anhydrol Forte, Driclor, Drysol
How Aluminum Chloride interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum Chloride interactionAluminum HydroxideAlu-Cap, Amphojel, Gaviscon
How Aluminum Hydroxide interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum Hydroxide interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #2
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum Hydroxide, Aspirin, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug)Maalox, Mucogel
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug) interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug) interactionAluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Simethicone (otc Drug)Mylanta
How Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Simethicone (otc Drug) interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum Hydroxide, Magnesium Hydroxide, Simethicone (otc Drug) interactionAluminum, CalciumDomeboro
How Aluminum, Calcium interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum, Calcium interactionAluminum, Magnesium (otc Drug)Almagel
How Aluminum, Magnesium (otc Drug) interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum, Magnesium (otc Drug) interactionAluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug)Wingel
How Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug) interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aluminum, Magnesium Hydroxide (otc Drug) interactionAmiloride, HydrochlorothiazideAmil-Co, Amilzide, Moduret 25, Moduretic
How Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumThiazide Diuretics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking calcium along with thiazides might increase the risk of hypercalcemia and renal failure.
Read the full Calcium + Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide interactionAmphotericin, TetracyclineMysteclin-F
How Amphotericin, Tetracycline interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumTetracycline Antibiotics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium seems to reduce the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics.
Read the full Calcium + Amphotericin, Tetracycline interactionAspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium HydroxideAscriptin Codeine #3
How Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumAluminum Moderate
Interaction Summary
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity.
Read the full Calcium + Aspirin, Aluminum Hydroxide, Codeine Phosphate, Magnesium Hydroxide interactionAtenolol, ChlortalidoneAtenixCo, Tenoret 50, Totaretic
How Atenolol, Chlortalidone interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumThiazide Diuretics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking calcium along with thiazides might increase the risk of hypercalcemia and renal failure.
Read the full Calcium + Atenolol, Chlortalidone interactionAtenolol, ChlorthalidoneTenoretic
How Atenolol, Chlorthalidone interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumThiazide Diuretics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking calcium along with thiazides might increase the risk of hypercalcemia and renal failure.
Read the full Calcium + Atenolol, Chlorthalidone interactionAzilsartan, ChlorthalidoneEdarbyclor
How Azilsartan, Chlorthalidone interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumThiazide Diuretics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking calcium along with thiazides might increase the risk of hypercalcemia and renal failure.
Read the full Calcium + Azilsartan, Chlorthalidone interactionBenazepril, HydrochlorothiazideLotensin HCT
How Benazepril, Hydrochlorothiazide interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumThiazide Diuretics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking calcium along with thiazides might increase the risk of hypercalcemia and renal failure.
Read the full Calcium + Benazepril, Hydrochlorothiazide interactionBendroflumethiazideAprinox, Naturetin, Neo-NaClex
How Bendroflumethiazide interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumThiazide Diuretics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking calcium along with thiazides might increase the risk of hypercalcemia and renal failure.
Read the full Calcium + Bendroflumethiazide interactionBendroflumethiazide, NadololCorzide
How Bendroflumethiazide, Nadolol interacts with Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry — through 1 ingredient. Tap an ingredient for the detail:
CalciumThiazide Diuretics Moderate
Interaction Summary
Taking calcium along with thiazides might increase the risk of hypercalcemia and renal failure.
Read the full Calcium + Bendroflumethiazide, Nadolol interactionEach ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects
For each ingredient in Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.
Calcium
Ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
Co-administration of intravenous calcium and ceftriaxone can result in precipitation of a ceftriaxone-calcium salt in the lungs and kidneys.
Avoid administering intravenous calcium in any form, such as parenteral nutrition or Lactated Ringers, within 48 hours of intravenous ceftriaxone. Case reports in neonates show that administering intravenous ceftriaxone and calcium can result in precipitation of a ceftriaxone-calcium salt in the lungs and kidneys. In several cases, neonates have died as a result of this interaction. So far there are no reports in adults; however, there is still concern that this interaction might occur in adults.
Dolutegravir (Tivicay)
Calcium seems to reduce levels of dolutegravir.
Advise patients to take dolutegravir either 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking calcium supplements. Pharmacokinetic research suggests that taking calcium carbonate 1200 mg concomitantly with dolutegravir 50 mg reduces plasma levels of dolutegravir by almost 40%. Calcium appears to decrease levels of dolutegravir through chelation.
Elvitegravir (Vitekta)
Calcium seems to reduce levels of elvitegravir.
Advise patients to take elvitegravir either 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking calcium supplements. Pharmacokinetic research suggests that taking calcium along with elvitegravir can reduce blood levels of elvitegravir through chelation.
Aluminum
Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity. Other types of calcium do not increase aluminum absorption.
Calcium citrate can increase the absorption of aluminum when taken with aluminum hydroxide. The increase in aluminum levels may become toxic, particularly in individuals with kidney disease. However, the effect of calcium citrate on aluminum absorption is due to the citrate anion rather than calcium cation. Calcium acetate does not appear to increase aluminum absorption.
Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir Alafenamide (Biktarvy)
Calcium might decrease levels of bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide by reducing its absorption when taken in a fasting state.
Advise patients that bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide and calcium can be taken together if taken with food. However, if taken on an empty stomach, bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide should not be taken with, or 2 hours after, calcium containing products.
Bisphosphonates
Calcium reduces the absorption of bisphosphonates.
Advise patients to take bisphosphonates at least 30 minutes before calcium, but preferably at a different time of day. Calcium supplements decrease absorption of bisphosphonates.
Calcipotriene (Dovonex)
Taking calcipotriene with calcium might increase the risk for hypercalcemia.
Calcipotriene is a vitamin D analog used topically for psoriasis. It can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to cause systemic effects, including hypercalcemia. Theoretically, combining calcipotriene with calcium supplements might increase the risk of hypercalcemia.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Using intravenous calcium with digoxin might increase the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias.
Hypercalcemia increases the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias with digoxin. However, one retrospective analysis of clinical data suggests that intravenous calcium does not increase the risk of dysrhythmias or mortality in patients receiving digoxin.
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Others)
Theoretically, calcium may reduce the therapeutic effects of diltiazem.
Hypercalcemia can reduce the effectiveness of verapamil in atrial fibrillation. Theoretically, calcium might increase this risk of hypercalcemia and reduce the effectiveness of diltiazem.
Levothyroxine (Synthroid, Others)
Calcium seems to reduce the absorption and effectiveness of levothyroxine.
Advise patients to take levothyroxine and calcium supplements at least 4 hours apart. Calcium reduces levothyroxine absorption, probably by forming insoluble complexes. Calcium carbonate supplements reduce effectiveness of levothyroxine in patients with hypothyroidism.
Lithium
Theoretically, concomitant use of calcium and lithium may increase this risk of hypercalcemia.
Clinical research suggests that long-term use of lithium may cause hypercalcemia in 10% to 60% of patients. Theoretically, concomitant use of lithium and calcium supplements may further increase this risk.
Quinolone Antibiotics
Calcium seems to reduce the absorption of quinolone antibiotics.
Advise patients to take oral quinolones at least 2 hours before or 4-6 hours after calcium supplements or calcium-fortified foods. Taking calcium at the same time as oral quinolones can reduce quinolone absorption. Calcium binds to quinolones in the gut.
Raltegravir (Isentress)
Calcium may reduce levels of raltegravir.
Pharmacokinetic research shows that taking a single dose of calcium carbonate 3000 mg along with raltegravir 400 mg twice daily modestly decreases the mean area under the curve of raltegravir, but the decrease does not necessitate a dose adjustment of raltegravir. However, a case of elevated HIV-1 RNA levels and documented resistance to raltegravir has been reported for a patient taking calcium carbonate 1 gram three times daily plus vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 400 IU three times daily in combination with raltegravir 400 mg twice daily for 11 months. It is thought that calcium reduced raltegravir levels by chelation, leading to treatment failure.
Sotalol (Betapace)
Calcium seems to reduce the absorption of sotalol.
Advise patients to separate doses by at least 2 hours before or 4-6 hours after calcium. Calcium appears to reduce the absorption of sotalol, probably by forming insoluble complexes.
Tetracycline Antibiotics
Calcium seems to reduce the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics.
Advise patients to take oral tetracyclines at least 2 hours before, or 4-6 hours after calcium supplements. Taking calcium at the same time as oral tetracyclines can reduce tetracycline absorption. Calcium binds to tetracyclines in the gut.
Thiazide Diuretics
Taking calcium along with thiazides might increase the risk of hypercalcemia and renal failure.
Thiazides reduce calcium excretion by the kidneys. Using thiazides along with moderately large amounts of calcium carbonate increases the risk of milk-alkali syndrome (hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, renal failure). Patients may need to have their serum calcium levels and/or parathyroid function monitored regularly.
Verapamil (Calan, Others)
Theoretically, calcium may reduce the therapeutic effects of verapamil.
Hypercalcemia can reduce the effectiveness of verapamil in atrial fibrillation. Theoretically, use of calcium supplements may increase this risk of hypercalcemia and reduce the effectiveness of verapamil.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Intravenous calcium may decrease the effects of calcium channel blockers; oral calcium is unlikely to have this effect.
Intravenous calcium is used to decrease the effects of calcium channel blockers in the management of overdose. Intravenous calcium gluconate has been used before intravenous verapamil (Isoptin) to prevent or reduce the hypotensive effects without affecting the antiarrhythmic effects. But there is no evidence that dietary or supplemental calcium when taken orally interacts with calcium channel blockers.
Brand information
Manufacturer and brand details for Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry, from the product label.
Rugby
See all Rugby products- Name
- Rugby Laboratories
- Street Address
- 17177 N Laurel Park Drive, Suite 233
- City
- Livonia
- State
- MI
- ZipCode
- 48152
- Phone Number
- 1-800-645-2158
- Web Address
- www.rugbylaboratories.com
Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry by Rugby: Common Questions
Does Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry by Rugby interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Does this actually work for bone health?
What are the most common side effects?
Is it safe to take while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Can I take this with my other medications?
Is there anything else in this tablet besides calcium?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Not sure if Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry is safe with your meds?
Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.
Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.
The Full Monographs Behind Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry’s Ingredients
Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.
Sources & How We Checked
Calci-Chew 500 mg Cherry's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
The 62 references behind this product’s interaction data
Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.
Calcium 62 references
- Shils M, Olson A, Shike M. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lea and Febiger, 1994.
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DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
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