Do calcium supplements interfere with calcium-channel blockers?
Ask the doctors
I've just been prescribed the calcium-channel blocker Norvasc [amlodipine] for high blood pressure. I also take a 600-milligram calcium supplement every day for my bones. Will they cancel each other out?While high doses of intravenous calcium are sometimes used to reverse an overdose of a calcium-channel blocker, the 600 milligrams of calcium in your daily supplement isn't enough to interfere with the drug's ability to lower blood pressure. In fact, oral calcium supplementation has been shown to lower blood pressure slightly in some people. So you can continue to take both without risking your bones or raising your blood pressure.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
