Iron
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
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Negative Interactions
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Potential Negative Interaction
Calcium
Calcium
This interaction is based on this drug belonging to a drug class. While this drug may differ from the text and references below, drugs within this class work in a similar way and this interaction is applicable to drugs within the same class.
People with kidney failure may develop high blood levels of calcium while taking calcium acetate. Since calcium acetate is a source of supplemental calcium, people taking the drug should avoid taking additional calcium supplements. People experiencing adverse effects of high blood calcium—such as loss of appetite, mental depression, poor memory, and muscle weakness—should notify their healthcare practitioner.
CalciumCalcium- Sifton DW, et. Physicians' Desk Reference. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 2000, 811-2.
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Reduces Effectiveness
Folic Acid
Magnesium
One controlled study showed that taking folic acid together with an antacid containing aluminum and magnesium hydroxide reduced the absorption of the vitamin. Therefore, individuals should take folic acid one hour before or two hours after taking antacids containing aluminum and magnesium hydroxide.
MagnesiumFolic Acid- Russell RM, Golner BB, Krasinski SD, et al. Effect of antacid and H2 receptor antagonists on the intestinal absorption of folic acid. J Lab Clin Med 1988;112:458-63.
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Supportive Interactions
5-
Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Folic Acid
Copper and Zinc
This interaction is based on this drug belonging to a drug class. While this drug may differ from the text and references below, drugs within this class work in a similar way and this interaction is applicable to drugs within the same class.
In various studies of children treated with valproic acid for epilepsy compared with control groups, serum zinc levels remained normal or decreased, serum copper levels remained normal or decreased, and red blood cell zinc levels were decreased. The importance of these changes and how frequently they occur remain unclear.
Copper and ZincFolic Acid- Kaji M, Ito M, Okuno T, et al. Serum copper and zinc levels in epileptic children with valproate treatment. Epilepsia 1992;33:555-7.
- Lerman-Sagie T, Statter M, Szabo G, Lerman P. Effect of valproic acid therapy on zinc metabolism in children with primary epilepsy. Clin Neuropharmacol 1987;10:80-6.
- Sozuer DT, Barutcu UB, Karakoc Y, et al. The effects of antiepileptic drugs on serum zinc and copper levels in children. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 1995;6:265-9.
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Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Docusate
Magnesium
A woman and her newborn infant experienced low blood levels of magnesium, which was possibly due to chronic use of docusate throughout and after pregnancy. Controlled research is necessary to determine whether people taking docusate for long periods of time need to supplement magnesium.
MagnesiumDocusate- Schindler AM. Isolated neonatal hypomagnesaemia associated with maternal overuse of stool softener. Lancet 1984;2:822 [letter].
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Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Docusate
Potassium
Taking docusate increases the amount of potassium excreted from the body in the stool. Whether people taking docusate for long periods of time need to increase their intake of potassium is unknown.
PotassiumDocusate- Moriarty KJ, Kelly MJ, Beetham R, Clark ML. Studies on the mechanism of action of dioctyl sodium sulphosuccinate in the human jejunum. Gut 1985;26:1008-13.
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Replenish Depleted Nutrients
Folic Acid
Zinc
Though some studies indicate that supplementing with folic acid reduces blood levels of zinc, most show no interaction between the two nutrients when folic acid is taken at moderate levels. Therefore, until more convincing evidence is available, people taking moderate amounts of folic acid do not need to supplement with zinc. Zinc supplementation is recommended when folic acid intake is high. A doctor should be consulted to determine the appropriate time to add zinc supplementation to folic acid therapy.
ZincFolic Acid- Campbell RC. How safe are folic acid supplements? Arch Intern Med 1996;156:1638-44 [review].
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Support Medicine
Folic Acid
Vitamin B6
Folic acid and vitamin B6 have been used to reduce elevated blood levels of homocysteine, which has been associated with atherosclerosis. One controlled study showed that taking 0.3 mg of folic acid together with 120 mg of vitamin B6 reduced homocysteine levels more than taking either vitamin alone. The study also revealed that long-term supplementation with vitamin B6 alone might reduce blood folic acid levels. Therefore, people with elevated blood homocysteine levels should supplement with both folic acid and vitamin B6.
Vitamin B6Folic Acid- Mansoor MA, Kristensen O, Hervig T, et al. Plasma total homocysteine response to oral doses of folic acid and pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6) in healthy individuals. Oral doses of vitamin B6 reduce concentrations of serum folate. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 1999;59:139-46.
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