Are Collagen Proteins Safe To Combine With Your Medication?
In our latest question and answer, our pharmacist discusses whether or not there are drug interactions with collagen protein.
I'm 52 and my nutritionist recommended I start taking collagen protein, like Vital Proteins. However, I take a slew of medications and am worried about interactions. I take blood thinners and medications for diabetes. I also take Synthroid. Can I take collagen?
Jan 05, 2023- Collagen proteins are generally safe to take alongside most medications and have no known drug interactions.
- If you take Synthroid, take it by itself on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before consuming collagen or other foods and medications.
Answer
Yes, for the most part, collagen proteins (sometimes referred to as collagen peptides) are perfectly safe to take with your medications.
However, I will say for Synthroid (levothyroxine), you generally want to take that drug by itself, on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before food and other medications to avoid absorption issues.
Collagen Proteins: No Drug Interactions?
Collagen protein is popularly utilized as a dietary supplement, with many different brands producing a multitude of products. Vital Proteins, which you mentioned in your question, is one such brand.
Collagen is a protein that is a major component of skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones and plays a key role in your health. Supplementation with collagen is purported to have positive benefits, such as improving skin elasticity, reducing joint pain, and improving mobility.
Most collagen protein powders are in the form of 'collagen peptides', which are made by breaking down collagen into smaller pieces (peptides), which can be more easily absorbed by the body.
In regard to drug interactions, in your question, you mentioned a few things you were concerned about.
Specifically, you mentioned Synthroid, blood thinners (which would include Xarelto, Eliquis, Coumadin, Pradaxa, Plavix, Savaysa, etc...,), and diabetes medications (e.g., metformin, glipizide, glimepiride, insulin, Januvia, Farxiga, Invokana, Jardiance, etc...).
The good news is that collagen protein is not known to have drug interactions. You can consider it a dietary protein, just as if you were consuming other types of protein as part of your daily diet.
While there is some concern that high-protein diets may affect a small number of medications, collagen protein itself doesn't have clinically significant interactions.
Like I mentioned above about Synthroid though, if you are on medication that should be taken on an empty stomach, you should continue to do so, and not take them at the same time as you are taking collagen.
If you have any other questions regarding interactions with herbals or natural medicines, be sure to use our interaction checker.
Final Words
Thanks for reaching out and I hope you found this helpful!
References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Synthroid (levothyroxine)
- A medication used to treat thyroid hormone deficiency that requires special timing rules to be absorbed properly by the body.
- Absorption
- The process by which your body takes in and uses a substance, such as a medication or nutrient, into the bloodstream.
- Collagen peptides
- Small pieces of collagen protein created by breaking down larger collagen molecules so they can be more easily digested and used by your body.
- Dietary supplement
- A product taken by mouth that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, or other substances intended to supplement the diet.
- Drug interactions
- Situations where taking two or more substances together causes unexpected changes in how medications work or affects safety.
- Blood thinners
- Medications that prevent blood clots from forming or growing larger, used to reduce the risk of strokes and other clotting problems.
- Ligaments
- Strong connective tissues that attach bones to each other and help stabilize joints.
- Elasticity
- The ability of skin or tissue to stretch and then return to its original shape.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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