Calcitonin is a hormone found naturally in the body. As a drug inhaled through the nose, it is used primarily to treat certain types of osteoporosis as well as to provide symptomatic relief from pain due to acute fractures or compression of the bones in the spine.
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
In some cases, an herb or supplement may appear in more than one category, which may seem contradictory. For clarification, read the full article for details about the summarized interactions.
 May be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better. | Calcium |
| Depletion or interference | None known |
| Side effect reduction/prevention | None known |
| Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability | None known |
| Adverse interaction | None known |
An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Interactions with Dietary Supplements
Calcium
Supplementation with 1,500 mg per day of calcium enhances the effects of nasal calcitonin on bone mass of the lumbar spine.1 Women who take a calcitonin nasal product for osteoporosis should also take calcium.
References
1. Nieves JW, Komar L, Cosman F, Lindsay R. Calcium potentiates the effect of estrogen and calcitonin on bone mass: review and analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;Jan(67):18–24.
Copyright 2007, Healthnotes, Inc., 1505 S.E. Gideon St., Suite 200, Portland, Oregon 97202, www.Healthnotes.com.
2006-09-07
