Major interaction on record — check this product against your medications before combining. Based on 3 of 4 ingredients. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Fat Release Fruit Twist Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Herbalife Nutrition

Other (e.g. Tea Bag) Category: Other Combinations
Most serious interaction: Major
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Major

Fat Release Fruit Twist is a dietary supplement by Herbalife Nutrition with 4 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for bone health and osteoporosis prevention, dietary calcium deficiency, heartburn relief (calcium carbonate antacids).Based on those ingredients, 2,065 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated major. The ingredients most likely to interact are Gum Arabic, Calcium, Opuntia ficus-indica. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Fat Release Fruit Twist by Herbalife Nutrition

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.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Low disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Low

Most active ingredients don't disclose an individual amount — you can't tell how much of each you're getting.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 4 active ingredients.
  • “Litramine Proprietary Blend” is a proprietary blend — the label gives one combined amount (1 Gram(s)) without saying how much of each component you get.

Fat Release Fruit Twist contains four active ingredients. Calcium supports bone health and is effective for preventing low blood calcium and treating certain kidney and digestive conditions.

Gum Arabic is a soluble fiber with insufficient evidence to rate its effectiveness for weight loss or metabolic issues. Prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) has possibly effective evidence for blood sugar control in diabetes.

Gamma-cyclodextrin's role we cannot verify from our data. The product also contains inactive ingredients including xylitol (a sweetener), lemon and cranberry juice powders for flavor, citric acid, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, and natural and artificial flavoring.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: weight loss program support and fat absorption reduction.
  • We looked for evidence on: Obesity, Metabolic syndrome, Dyslipidemia, Hypercholesterolemia, Familial hypercholesterolemia, Atherosclerosis — and 4 related terms.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Prickly Pear Cactus is rated "Possibly Effective" for Diabetes (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Calcium is rated "Possibly Ineffective" for Obesity.
  • Also on file: Calcium is rated "Ineffective" for Cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Calcium in this product is effective for preventing low blood calcium and is likely effective for osteoporosis — it's a well-established mineral for bone strength. Prickly pear cactus carries possibly effective evidence for blood sugar support in diabetes, though more research is needed.

For gum arabic, the evidence we hold shows insufficient reliable data to rate its effectiveness for weight loss, metabolic syndrome, or the other conditions studied. Gamma-cyclodextrin's effectiveness data isn't on file.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Calcium Gum Arabic Prickly Pear Cactus

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 3 of the 3 matched ingredients.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 3 of 3.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 3 of 3.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Calcium is generally well tolerated at recommended doses, though high amounts can cause problems — most common side effects orally are belching, constipation, diarrhea, and stomach upset. Calcium is safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding when used at recommended levels unless your doctor advises otherwise.

There is some concern that very high calcium intake (above 1,500–2,000 mg daily) may be linked to increased prostate cancer risk and possibly cardiovascular disease, though research remains mixed. Gum arabic is generally recognized as safe as a food additive and causes mild digestive upset (bloating, flatulence, nausea, diarrhea) in a small number of people, usually subsiding within 2 weeks.

Supplemental amounts haven't been well studied in pregnancy or breastfeeding — check with your doctor. Prickly pear cactus is generally well tolerated as food; side effects include mild diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, and abdominal fullness.

Rare cases of headache, insomnia, and dizziness have been reported. Avoid supplement amounts during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Calcium Gum Arabic Prickly Pear Cactus

Meds to double-check

Major interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Major identified

At least one ingredient has a documented Major-severity interaction. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 3 of the 3 matched ingredients can interact with medications — Gum Arabic, Calcium, Prickly Pear Cactus.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Major.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: diabetes medications; heart-rhythm medications; lithium.
  • For scale: 2,066 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking this product if you use HIV integrase inhibitors (dolutegravir, elvitegravir, or raltegravir), antibiotics (especially ceftriaxone intravenously or amoxicillin), levothyroxine for thyroid disease, sotalol for heart rhythm, diltiazem for heart or blood pressure, calcipotriene for psoriasis, or antidiabetes drugs like metformin or glyburide — calcium and prickly pear cactus can reduce or interfere with how these work.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFormula with limited ingredient disclosure with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Major medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

This product may help support bone health through calcium and possibly blood sugar through prickly pear, but it carries several significant medication interactions — especially with HIV drugs, antibiotics, thyroid hormone, heart medications, and diabetes drugs. Before starting Fat Release Fruit Twist, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take any prescription medications, particularly for HIV, heart rhythm, thyroid, or blood sugar control.

They can tell you whether it's right for you and whether any dose timing adjustments are needed.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 3 of 4 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Jul 21, 2022.

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

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Fat Release Fruit Twist, straight from the product label.

Brand Herbalife Nutrition
Barcode (UPC) 196KUS
Net contents 30 Stick Pack(s); 2.75 Ounce(s); 78 Gram(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Jul 21, 2022
DSLD ID 271131
Product type Other Combinations
Supplement form Other (e.g. Tea Bag)
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the 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 Fat Release Fruit Twist by Herbalife Nutrition, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2.6 Gram(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2.6 Gram(s)
Servings per container
30
UPC/BARCODE
196KUS
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories10 Calorie(s)--
Total Carbohydrates2 Gram(s)1%
Calcium40 mg3%
Gum Arabic0 NP--
Gamma-Cyclodextrin0 NP--
Litramine Proprietary Blend1 Gram(s)--
Opuntia ficus-indica0 NP--

Other ingredients: Xylitol, Lemon juice powder, Cranberry juice powder, Citric Acid, Silicon Dioxide, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Magnesium Stearate

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
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.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended Use: Take one stick pack (2.6g) of Fat Release with or after a meal or snack that contains fats. If you wish to digest fat content in a meal, such as omega-3 fatty acids, do not take Fat Release after the meal. Enjoy up to three stick packs a day, one after each meal. Enjoy Fat Release slowly straight from the stick pack, no water required! For an added fruit twist flavor, combine one stick pack with 1 serving of Herbal Tea Concentrate, 1 serving of Herbal Aloe Concentrate or 8 fl. oz. of hot or cold water.

Weight loss plans are supported by taking the product three servings a day.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General Statements

30-day money-back guarantee. This exclusively formulated product is only available through Herbalife Nutrition Independent Distributors. Carton is half-filled with stick packs due to limitations of manufacturing equipment.

Warning: Consuming this product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/food.

Clinical studies on adults 35 and older showed that taking 1 gram Litramine 3 times a day with or after meals for 12 weeks can support weight loss by binding a portion of dietary fat in overweight people who were on nutritionally balanced diets and moderate intensity exercise. Diet in study did not include Herbalife Nutrition meal program.

8512021013 0E0000 01 40000

Formulation

For weight loss program support Reduces a portion of calories from being absorbed when taken with a meal containing fats Enhances the amount of dietary fat eliminated from the body

Support healthy weight loss through dietary fat excretion.

The fat-fiber complex, which cannot be digested or absorbed, is excreted from our bodies. Litramine can help in reducing calories absorbed from dietary fat.

Made in Germany

Formula

Formulated with Litramine to promote feeling of fullness Fruit Twist Natural and artificial flavors

Fat Release is specially formulated with Litramine, a patented ingredient with cactus fiber, to support weight loss targeting dietary fat excretion. When ingested with foods containing fats, Litramine forms a fat-fiber complex with a portion of the fats in the food.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

FDA Disclaimer Statement

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Brand IP Statement(s)

Litramine patent under license from InQpharm: US 9,107,441 B2. Litramine is a trademark of the InQpharm group of companies.

Copyright 2021 Herbalife Nutrition

See for yourself

Fat Release Fruit Twist by Herbalife Nutrition label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Fat Release Fruit Twist by Herbalife Nutrition

These are the 4 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size2.6 Gram(s) Dosage formOther (e.g. Tea Bag) Servings per container30 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Calcium

Interacts with
168 drugs
40 mg per serving

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 & interactions

Litramine Proprietary Blend

1 Gram(s) per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Xylitol, Lemon juice powder, Cranberry juice powder, Citric Acid, Silicon Dioxide, Natural & Artificial Flavors, Magnesium Stearate. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Fat Release Fruit Twist by Herbalife Nutrition Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Fat Release Fruit Twist?

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 checker
2,065Drugs
7 Major 2,058 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Gum Arabic 2,022
Calcium 168

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Fat Release Fruit Twist with known interactions, here are the types of medications they can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Gum Arabic2 drug types · 2,022 drugs

Amoxicillin (Amoxil, Trimox)

Gum arabic can reduce the absorption of amoxicillin.
A small study in healthy volunteers shows that taking amoxicillin and gum arabic concurrently significantly reduces the absorption of amoxicillin. Separate doses of amoxicillin from gum arabic by at least 2 hours.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
Oral Drugs

Theoretically, gum arabic can alter the absorption of oral drugs due to its fiber content.
Gum arabic has been used as a suspending osmotic agent in drug formulations. It might improve bioavailability of water-insoluble drugs like naproxen, but reduce absorption of polar drugs like amoxicillin. To avoid changes in absorption, take gum arabic 30-60 minutes after oral medications.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Calcium18 drug types · 168 drugs

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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Possible Evidence B
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence C
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.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
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.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D

Opuntia ficus-indica1 drug type · 86 drugs

Antidiabetes Drugs

Combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Case reports show that combining prickly pear cactus with antidiabetes drugs such as chlorpropamide, glyburide, glipizide, and metformin can increase the risk of hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Advise patients to monitor glucose levels closely. Dose adjustments may be necessary.

Likelihood Probable Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Fat Release Fruit Twist, from the product label.

Herbalife Nutrition

See all Herbalife Nutrition products
Name
Herbalife International of America, Inc.
Street Address
800 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 406
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
ZipCode
90015
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Fat Release Fruit Twist by Herbalife Nutrition: Common Questions

Does Fat Release Fruit Twist by Herbalife Nutrition interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Fat Release Fruit Twist has a known interaction with 2,065 medications, including 7 rated major. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Fat Release Fruit Twist contains 4 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this while pregnant?
The calcium in it is safe in pregnancy at recommended amounts, but prickly pear cactus has not been well studied in pregnancy and the safety data advises against supplement amounts. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about whether this product is right for you.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking this?
Calcium is fine at recommended doses while breastfeeding. Gum arabic has not been well studied at supplement doses during breastfeeding, and prickly pear cactus safety data advises against it. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first.
What side effects might I notice?
The most common are digestive: constipation, diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, nausea, and stomach upset. These are usually mild. A small number of people report headache, dizziness, or insomnia with prickly pear cactus.
Does this actually work for weight loss?
Gum arabic is used in formulations as a fiber, but we don't hold evidence showing it's effective for weight loss or obesity. Prickly pear cactus is possibly effective for blood sugar control in diabetes, which is separate from weight loss. The product's weight-loss claims would need to be evaluated against the evidence for these specific ingredients.
What is gamma-cyclodextrin and does it interact with drugs?
Gamma-cyclodextrin is listed as an ingredient, but we hold no data on it, so we cannot tell you what it does or whether it interacts with medications. Your pharmacist may be able to provide more information about this specific ingredient.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Fat Release Fruit Twist is safe with your meds?

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Ask a pharmacist

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.

Fat Release Fruit Twist label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Fat Release Fruit Twist'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.

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 79 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
  1. Shils M, Olson A, Shike M. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lea and Febiger, 1994.
  2. Hernandez-Avila M, Gonzalez-Cossio T, Hernandez-Avila JE, et al. Dietary calcium supplements to lower blood lead levels in lactating women: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Epidemiology 2003;14:206-12.. PubMed
  3. Thys-Jacobs S, Ceccarelli S, Bierman A, et al. Calcium supplementation in premenstrual syndrome: a randomized crossover trial. J Gen Intern Med 1989;4:183-9. PubMed
  4. Maton PN, Burton ME. Antacids revisited: a review of their clinical pharmacology and recommended therapeutic use. Drugs 1999;57:855-70.
  5. Clemens JD, Feinstein AR. Calcium carbonate and constipation: a historical review of medical mythopoeia. Gastroenterology 1977;72:957-61. DOI
  6. Saunders D, Sillery J, Chapman R. Effect of calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide on human intestinal function. Dig Dis Sci 1988;33:409-13. PubMed
  7. Friedman PA, Bushinsky DA. Diuretic effects on calcium metabolism. Semin Nephrol 1999;19:551-6.
  8. Koo WK, Walters JC, Esterlitz J, et al. Maternal calcium supplementation and fetal bone mineralization. Obstet Gynecol 1999;94:577-82. DOI
  9. Raman L, Rajalakshmi K, Krishnamachari KAVR, et al. Effect of calcium supplementation to undernourished mothers during pregnancy on the bone density of the neonates. Am J Clin Nutr 1978; 31:466-9. DOI
  10. Murry JJ, Healy MD. Drug-mineral interactions: a new responsibility for the hospital dietician. J Am Diet Assoc 1991;91:66-73.
  11. Chan JM, Giovannucci E, Andersson SO, et al. Dairy products, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin D, and risk of prostate cancer. Cancer Causes Control 1998;9:559-66.
  12. Butner LE, Fulco PP, Feldman G, et al. Calcium carbonate-induced hypothyroidism. Ann Intern Med 2000:132:595. PubMed
  13. Schneyer CR. Calcium carbonate and reduction of levothyroxine efficacy. JAMA 1998;279:750. PubMed
  14. Moser LR, Smythe MA, Tisdale JE. The use of calcium salts in the prevention and management of verapamil-induced hypotension. Ann Pharmacother 2000;34:622-9. PubMed
  15. Singh N, Singh PN, Hershman JM. Effect of calcium carbonate on the absorption of levothyroxine. JAMA 2000;283:2822-5. PubMed
  16. Kahela P, Anttila M, Tikkanen R, Sundquist H. Effect of food, food constituents and fluid volume on the bioavailability of sotalol. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh) 1979;44:7-12.. PubMed
  17. Pletz MW, Petzold P, Allen A, et al. Effect of calcium carbonate on bioavailability of orally administered gemifloxacin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2003;47:2158-60.. PubMed
  18. Bar-Or D, Yoel G. Calcium and calciferol antagonize effect of verapamil in atrial fibrillation. Br Med J 1981;282:1585-6.
  19. Decktor DL, Robinson M, Maton PN, et al. Effects of aluminum/magnesium hydroxide and calcium carbonate on esophageal and gastric pH in subjects with heartburn. Am J Ther 1995;2:546-52. PubMed
  20. Simoneau G. Absence of rebound effect with calcium carbonate. Eur J Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 1996;21:351-7. PubMed
  21. Peters ML, Leonard M, Licata AA. Role of alendronate and risedronate in preventing and treating osteoporosis. Cleve Clin J Med 2001;68:945-51. PubMed
  22. Bourke JF, Mumford R, Whittaker P, et al. The effects of topical calcipotriol on systemic calcium homeostasis in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. J Am Acad Dermatol 1997;37:929-34.
  23. Gueguen L, Pointillart A. The bioavailability of dietary calcium. J Am Coll Nutr 2000;19:119s-136s. PubMed
  24. Vella A, Gerber TC, Hayes DL, Reeder GS. Digoxin, hypercalcaemia, and cardiac conduction. Postgrad Med J 1999;75:554-6. PubMed
  25. Bania TC, Blaufeux B, Hughes S, et al. Calcium and digoxin vs. calcium alone for severe verapamil toxicity. Acad Emerg Med 2000;7:1089-96. PubMed
  26. Tseng M, Breslow RA, Graubard BI, Ziegler RG. Dairy, calcium, and vitamin D intakes and prostate cancer risk in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Epidemiologic Follow-up Study cohort. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;81:1147-54. PubMed
  27. Weingarten MA, Zalmanovici A, Yaphe J. Dietary calcium supplementation for preventing colorectal cancer and adenomatous polyps. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2004;(1):CD003548. PubMed
  28. Tavani A, Bertuccio P, Bosetti C, et al. Dietary intake of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus and the risk of prostate cancer. Eur Urol 2005;48:27-33. PubMed
  29. Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. A prospective study of calcium intake and incident and fatal prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15:203-10. PubMed
  30. Rocephin (ceftriaxone) and calcium interaction. Pharmacist's Letter / Prescriber's Letter 2007;23(10):231005.
  31. Bolland MJ, Barber PA, Doughty RN, et al. Vascular events in healthy older women receiving calcium supplementation: randomised control trial. BMJ 2008;336:262-6.
  32. Bolland MJ, Avenell A, Baron JA, et al. Effect of calcium supplements on risk of myocardial infarction and cardiovascular events: meta-analysis. BMJ 2010;341:c3691. PubMed
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Gum Arabic 8 references
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Prickly Pear Cactus 9 references
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  2. Rayburn K, Martinez R, Escobedo M, et al. Glycemic effects of various species of nopal (Opuntia sp.) in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Texas J Rural Health 1998;26:68-76.
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  4. Sobieraj DM, Freyer CW. Probable hypoglycemic adverse drug reaction associated with prickly pear cactus, glipizide, and metformin in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ann Pharmacother 2010;44:1334-7. PubMed
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  7. Meckes-Lozyoa, M. and Roman-Ramos, R. Opuntia streptacantha: a coadjutor in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Am J Chin Med 1986;14(3-4):116-118.
  8. Onakpoya IJ, O'Sullivan J, Heneghan CJ. The effect of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Nutrition. 2015;31(5):640-6. PubMed
  9. Han EH, Lim MK, Lee S, et al. Efficacy of Ethanolic Extract of Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Stems for Improving Cognitive Function in Elderly Subjects 55-85 Years of Age: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Med Food 2020;23(11):11

See these in context on the Prickly Pear Cactus monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

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.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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