Botanic Choice Blueberry Leaf by Indiana Botanic Gardens

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Hypertension. Most clinical research suggests that consuming freeze-dried blueberries or blueberry powder does not lower blood pressure in patients with hypertension, prehypertension, or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Details: Although conflicting results exist (92386,99139), a meta-analysis of 6 clinical trials including approximately 200 patients with hypertension, prehypertension, or other risk factors for cardiovascular disease shows that consuming freeze dried blueberries or blueberry powder 22-50 grams daily for 6-8 weeks does not significantly lower systolic or diastolic blood pressure when compared with placebo (92390).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Anxiety. It is unclear if oral blueberry can improve symptoms of anxiety. Details: A small clinical study in healthy adults shows that drinking 30 mL of blueberry juice diluted in 100 mL of water twice daily for 20 days reduces measures of state and trait anxiety when compared with placebo (111235).
• Age-related cognitive decline. Small clinical studies suggest that oral blueberry products may slightly improve some measures of cognitive function in older adults with age-related cognitive decline. Details: Most clinical evidence shows that blueberry can improve some aspects of cognitive decline, but it has minimal effect on other measures. One small clinical trial in older patients with self-reported cognitive decline shows that taking freeze-dried blueberry powder 12.5 grams twice daily for 6 months modestly improves cognitive performance in daily activities but most measures of cognitive function did not improve (97181). Another small clinical study in patients 60 years of age and older with self-reported memory complaints shows that taking a wild blueberry extract (ThinkBlue, Naturex Inc) 100 mg daily with cysteine and glutathione modestly improves episodic memory at 3 months, but not at 6 months, when compared with placebo. However, taking this same blueberry extract or a wild blueberry powder 450 mg or 900 mg daily with cysteine and glutathione does not improve sequence recall, working memory, or executive function (99139). Other small clinical studies show a benefit in some, but not all measures of executive functioning and memory (96467,111234)
• Aging. It is unclear if consuming blueberry can improve functional mobility in adults 60 years of age and older. Details: One small clinical study in adults over 60 years of age shows that consuming 2 cups of frozen blueberries daily for 6 weeks improves some measures of functional mobility, such as foot placement and balance, when compared with drinking carrot juice. However, blueberry does not seem to improve hand grip strength, executive function, or other measurements of gait speed when compared with carrot juice (92387). Another small clinical study in this same age group shows that consuming 12 grams of powdered blueberry mixed with liquid twice daily for 3 months does not improve measures of functional mobility when compared with placebo (96467).
• Athletic performance. Small clinical studies suggest that oral freeze-dried blueberry powder may not reduce exertion or improve long-distance running performance in trained runners. Details: Two small clinical studies in adults with running experience show that taking freeze-dried blueberry powder 24 grams three times daily for four days does not improve perceived exertion, the time to run 8 km, or distance run over 30 minutes when compared with placebo. However, blueberry does appear to modestly attenuate increases in blood lactate after running (101963,107282).
• Cancer. Although there has been interest in using oral blueberry for preventing cancer, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of blueberry for this purpose.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD). Small clinical studies suggest that oral blueberry supplementation might modestly improve body weight and triglyceride levels, but not body mass index (BMI), glycemic control, or cholesterol levels, in patients at risk for CVD. Details: A meta-analysis of 11 small and low-quality clinical studies involving a total of 497 adults with various risk factors for CVD shows that taking blueberry for 4-16 weeks modestly reduces weight and triglyceride levels, but does not improve other risk factors for CVD, including BMI, glycemic indices, cholesterol levels, and certain inflammatory mediators, when compared with placebo or other control. In a sub-group analysis, weight reduction was slightly more favorable in studies of longer than 6 weeks' duration (mean reduction of 0.91 kg) and in studies using blueberry powder or freeze-dried blueberry (mean reduction of 0.86 kg) (105702). The validity of these findings is limited by the heterogeneity and small size of the included studies. Additionally, it is unclear if blueberry is beneficial for reducing the risk for CVD or CVD-related complications.
• Cataracts. Although there has been interest in using oral blueberry for preventing cataracts, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of blueberry for this purpose.
• Cognitive function. Small clinical studies suggest that oral blueberry products may improve some, but not most, measures of cognitive function in children and adults. Details: Several small clinical studies in children 7-10 years of age show that drinking a blueberry drink containing 30 grams of freeze-dried blueberries or 200 grams of fresh blueberries as a single dose does not improve most measures of cognitive function when compared with placebo. These trials showed small improvements in some measures of cognitive function, including auditory-verbal learning, word recognition, and delayed memory, but these specific findings were not consistent across all studies (92394,96465,101961). Additionally, a small clinical trial in healthy young adults shows that taking a combination of blueberry and grape extracts (Memophenol, Activ'Inside) 600 mg increases the ability to complete serial three subtraction by 2.5-fold when compared with placebo. However, there were no other improvements in working memory or attention during a sustained cognitive effort (101960).
• Depression. It is unclear if oral blueberry extract or freeze-dried powder is beneficial in patients with depression. Details: One small clinical study in adults with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT)-associated depression and depression-associated gastrointestinal infection shows that taking blueberry extract 10 mg daily for 3 months reduces symptoms of depression by 49% and gastrointestinal infection rates by 84% when compared to baseline; when compared with placebo, these changes are significant (96464). Another small clinical study in healthy adults shows that drinking 30 mL of blueberry juice diluted in 100 mL of water twice daily for 20 days reduces symptoms of depression when compared with placebo (111235). A small clinical study in healthy adolescents 11-17 years of age without diagnosed mental health issues at baseline shows that drinking freeze-dried wild blueberry powder 13 grams daily for 4 weeks improves self-reported depressive symptoms, but not anxiety symptoms or transient affect, when compared with placebo. The adolescents enrolled in this study were found to have suboptimal fruit and vegetable intake at baseline (105703).
• Diabetes. It is unclear if oral freeze-dried blueberry powder is beneficial in patients with diabetes. Details: A small clinical study in males 45-75 years of age with type 2 diabetes shows that drinking 11 grams of freeze-dried highbush blueberry powder mixed with water twice daily with a meal for 8 weeks reduces glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values and triglyceride levels, but not body weight, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or blood pressure, when compared with placebo. This study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups (105701). Blueberry has also been evaluated for the prevention of gestational diabetes. A small clinical study in patients with a history of gestational diabetes shows that consuming 280 grams of blueberries plus 12 grams of soluble fiber daily for 18 weeks, starting at less than 20 weeks' gestation, along with standard care reduces maternal weight gain and blood glucose levels after glucose challenge testing when compared with standard care alone. However, neither gestational diabetes incidence nor infant birth weight was lower with blueberry supplementation when compared with standard care alone (107281).
• Hyperlipidemia. It is unclear if oral blueberry is beneficial in patients with hyperlipidemia. Details: One small clinical study in healthy adults shows that drinking blueberry juice 30 mL twice daily for 20 days reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol when compared with placebo (111235). Additionally, drinking a combination of blueberry, apple, chokeberry, and cranberry juice 300 mL daily for 6 weeks appears to decrease total cholesterol and increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol when compared to baseline in females with overweight or obesity and at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease (111233). However, the validity of the study is limited by its small size, short duration, and lack of a comparator group. It is unclear if these effects are due to blueberry, other ingredients, or the combination. In contrast, other small clinical studies suggest that blueberry does not improve lipid levels (105701,111234). A small clinical study in males 45-75 years old shows that blueberry has no effect on total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol, but may reduce triglycerides, when compared with placebo. However, in a sub-group of patients also taking lipid-lowering medications, blueberry reduced levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol when compared with placebo (105701). Another small clinical study in middle-aged adults with overweight shows that taking oral blueberry powder daily for 12 weeks does not impact total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, or triglycerides when compared with placebo (111234). However, these studies may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups.
• Hypertriglyceridemia. It is unclear if oral blueberry leaf extract is beneficial in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Details: A small clinical trial in patients with mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia shows that taking a single dose of a blueberry leaf extract 300 mg along with a high-fat meal reduces postprandial triglyceride levels, but not postprandial glucose or insulin levels, when compared with placebo (101959).
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). It is unclear if oral blueberry juice is beneficial in children with JIA. Details: A small clinical study in children with JIA shows that adding 50 mL of blueberry juice daily to treatment with etanercept 50 mg twice weekly for 6 months increases the percentage of patients who achieve a 20% improvement in symptoms based on American College of Rheumatology criteria when compared with taking etanercept along with placebo juice. About 75% of patients in the blueberry juice group experienced a 20% improvement in symptoms, compared with 51% of patients in the placebo group, suggesting that for every four patients that drink blueberry juice along with etanercept therapy, one additional patient will experience a 20% or greater improvement in symptoms. Drinking blueberry juice also appears to reduce side effects caused by etanercept, including weight gain, infection, diarrhea, and anorexia (92388).
• Metabolic syndrome. Small clinical studies in patients with metabolic syndrome, along with an analysis of studies in patients at risk for metabolic syndrome, suggest that oral freeze-dried blueberries do not improve body weight or glycemic control, but may slightly lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Details: A small clinical study in patients with metabolic syndrome shows that taking freeze-dried blueberry powder 26 grams daily for 6 months improves flow-mediated dilation by 45% when compared with placebo, but does not affect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels, insulin resistance, or blood pressure. In a sub-group of patients not taking statins, blueberry increased levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol by 3 mg/dL; however, a lower dose of 13 grams daily had no beneficial effects (101958). Another small clinical trial in patients with metabolic syndrome shows that consuming freeze-dried blueberries 25 grams twice daily for 8 weeks reduces systolic blood pressure by around 4% and diastolic blood pressure by around 3% when compared with placebo, but does not affect body weight, lipid levels, or glycemic control (107278). Additionally, a small clinical trial in patients with metabolic syndrome shows that drinking a smoothie containing freeze-dried blueberry powder 22.5 grams twice daily for 6 weeks does not improve blood pressure, body weight, glycemic control, or lipid levels when compared with placebo, although it does improve measures of endothelial function (107279). A meta-analysis evaluating the studies above, along with 9 small clinical trials in patients at risk for metabolic syndrome, shows that blueberry supplementation does not improve body weight, glycemic control, triglyceride levels, or systolic blood pressure. However, it reduces total cholesterol by around 8 mg/dL, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by around 9 mg/dL, and diastolic blood pressure by around 2 mmHg when compared with placebo (107280).
• Muscle strength. Oral blueberry has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical trial in young, healthy males shows that taking blueberry extract 200 mg plus phosphocreatine disodium salts 5 grams daily for 28 days improves peak torque and average power during leg extension exercises when compared to baseline, while individuals taking placebo saw no improvements in these measures (107284). It is unclear if these findings are due to blueberry, phosphocreatine, or the combination.
• Night vision. Although there has been interest in using oral blueberry for improving night vision, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of blueberry for this purpose.
• Obesity. Oral blueberry has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical study in females with overweight or obesity and at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease shows that drinking a combination of blueberry, apple, chokeberry, and cranberry juice 300 mL daily for 6 weeks does not reduce body weight, body mass index (BMI), or blood pressure but might improve total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol when compared to baseline (111233). However, the validity of these findings is limited by the small study size, short duration, and lack of a comparator group. It is unclear if these effects are due to blueberry, other ingredients, or the combination.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Although there has been interest in using oral blueberry for preventing UTIs, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of blueberry for this purpose. More evidence is needed to rate blueberry for these uses.

(Read more about BLUEBERRY)

EFFECTIVE

• Dyspepsia. Oral calcium carbonate is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an antacid. Details: Taking calcium carbonate orally as an antacid is effective for treating dyspepsia (1843). Calcium carbonate has FDA approval as an antacid.
• Hyperkalemia. Intravenous calcium gluconate is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for preventing hyperkalemia-induced cardiac abnormalities. Details: Administering calcium gluconate intravenously can reverse electrocardiographic changes and arrhythmias induced by hyperkalemia (12946). Intravenous calcium gluconate is FDA-approved for preventing hyperkalemia-induced cardiac abnormalities.
• Hypocalcemia. Oral calcium treats and prevents hypocalcemia. Intravenous calcium is used to treat severe hypocalcemia. Details: Taking calcium orally is effective for treating and preventing hypocalcemia. Intravenous calcium gluconate, acetate, gluceptate, or chloride is effective for severe hypocalcemia or hypocalcemic tetany (12928).
• Kidney failure. Oral calcium carbonate or calcium acetate is used as a phosphate binder during kidney failure. Details: Taking calcium carbonate or calcium acetate orally is effective as a phosphate binder. Calcium acetate (PhosLo) appears to control hyperphosphatemia better than sevelamer (Renagel) (12943,12944,38990). Calcium citrate is not recommended for this purpose because it increases aluminum absorption and does not bind phosphate as efficiently as calcium acetate or calcium carbonate (21631). Some clinical research also shows that taking calcium orally reduces blood pressure in patients with kidney failure (975).

LIKELY EFFECTIVE

• Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. Oral calcium in combination with vitamin D prevents bone density loss that occurs during long-term treatment with corticosteroids. Details: Taking calcium in combination with vitamin D as adjunctive therapy seems to be effective for reducing bone mineral density loss in people using corticosteroids long-term (982,1046,1830,1831,1832,4462,4463,4464,4465,4466)(4467,12945,38493). One specific product used in clinical research is Oscal (Marion Merrel Dow Inc.), which contains elemental calcium 500 mg per tablet plus vitamin D 125 IU per tablet (982). Another product used is Oscal 250 + D (SmithKline Beecham Healthcare), which contains elemental calcium 250 mg and vitamin D 125 IU per tablet (1046).
• Hyperparathyroidism. Oral calcium reduces parathyroid hormone levels in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism due to kidney failure. Details: Taking calcium orally reduces parathyroid hormone levels in patients with kidney failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism (1827,1828,1829,39174,39425). In elderly women, the combination of calcium and vitamin D reverses secondary hyperparathyroidism and reduces hip fracture risk (8818). Also, population research suggests increased calcium intake from the diet and supplements reduces the risk of primary hyperparathyroidism in women. Supplemental intakes of at least 500 mg/day and dietary intakes of approximately 1100 mg/day are considered to be protective (91353).
• Osteoporosis. Adequate calcium intake, from the diet and/or supplements, is recommended for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Details: The Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) recommends ensuring adequate calcium intake in line with the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) by age, along with adequate vitamin D intake, for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in adults over 50 years of age. Supplementation can be used to augment dietary intake when adequate dietary intake is not feasible (109425). In the US and Canada, foods containing at least 200 mg calcium with less phosphorous content than calcium can be labelled with a health claim regarding the relationship between adequate calcium intake and a reduced risk for osteoporosis (11940,102148). However, calcium supplementation is not recommended specifically for the primary prevention of osteoporosis. The US Preventive Task Force (USPSTF) states that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of vitamin D and calcium supplementation, alone or in combination, for the primary prevention of fractures in community dwelling adults without osteoporosis (95695). Also, calcium supplements do not seem to be effective for preventing loss of bone mineral density (BMD) during lactation (988), in patients who have had bone marrow transplantation (1817), or in patients who have had renal transplantation (4823,38736,38871). Maximal bone growth occurs in the teenage years, and then BMD in females remains relatively constant until age 30-40. After age 40, bone loss typically occurs at rates of 0.5% to 1% per year. In males, this occurs several decades later. Bone loss is more pronounced if dietary calcium intake is below the RDA, which is the case for many Americans (2571,2578). One meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in healthy children 7-14 years old shows that fortifying food with calcium 250-1000 mg daily for up to 24 months modestly improves femoral neck BMD, but not hip or spine BMD. However, the included trials did not supplement vitamin D (107232). During the 5 years immediately after menopause, calcium supplementation has very little effect on bone loss (2569,2570,2575,2576). The rapid loss of estrogen causes a high bone resorption rate, which increases serum calcium levels and therefore decreases intestinal absorption of calcium (2570). After this period, the typical rate of bone loss is 2% per year (2572,2576). Taking calcium 1000-1600 mg daily as carbonate, citrate, lactate gluconate, or citrate malate salt decreases this rate by 0.25% to 1% annually (977,979,981,2569,2571,2572,2575,2576,2578,6850)(38978,38980,39064). The greatest reductions (1% or more) are seen in the first 1-2 years of supplementation when bone remodeling foci can be filled (2569,2576). After this period, the differences in rate of loss between supplemented and non-supplemented females are closer to 0.25% per year (2569,2577). A meta-analysis of clinical evidence suggests that there is no additional benefit after 4 years (38980). Small clinical studies have found that continuous calcium supplementation at an average daily dose of 1050 mg, started after menopause and continued for 1.5-4 years, may reduce fracture rates by 26% when compared with no calcium supplementation. The largest of these studies was conducted in nursing home residents who also received daily vitamin D; the benefits of calcium, specifically, are unclear (39386). Some research also suggests that calcium and vitamin D improves primary prevention of osteoporotic fractures in some older individuals with osteoporosis, particularly the elderly and those who are no longer community dwelling (12930,38875,38849,39026,109471). However, not all research is positive. One large clinical trial in elderly adults with a low-trauma fracture show that taking calcium 1000 mg daily with or without vitamin D 800 IU daily for 2-7 years does not reduce the risk of a second fracture when compared with placebo (13073). Another clinical study shows that taking calcium 1000 mg daily plus vitamin D 800 IU daily does not prevent a second fracture in elderly patients, or prevent a first fracture in elderly patients with other risk factors such as low body weight (less than 58 kg, 127.6 pounds), smoking, family history of hip fracture, or fair or poor self-reported health (12929). Also, some exploratory research suggests that supplements may need to be continued indefinitely; in adults over 68 years of age, any effects of 2 years of calcium supplements on BMD appear to be lost within 2 years after discontinuing supplements (6853). Calcium has additive effects when used with other agents such as vitamin D, estrogens, or calcitonin. Whereas calcium alone generally reduces or prevents loss of BMD, combination with other agents can produce small increases in BMD ranging from 0.3% to 3.3% depending on the combination and dosages used (978,980,1836,2570,2571,2572,2576). However, one meta-analysis in healthy adults shows that fortifying foods with calcium 250-1000 mg daily, in conjunction with vitamin D supplementation, for up to 24 months does not improve BMD when compared with control (107232). The full potential of osteoporosis treatments cannot be realized without adequate calcium intake (2569,2570,2571,2572). Advise patients taking agents such as estrogens, calcitonin, bisphosphonates, or raloxifene (Evista) to ensure that their daily calcium intake meets the RDA. Use supplements if necessary. The usefulness of calcium in preventing osteoporosis in males is not as well-studied. Some observational research has found that calcium 870 mg daily is not associated with changes in BMD and bone loss in males (97201). However, clinical evidence suggests that taking calcium 1000 mg daily for 2 years might improve trabecular or cortical bone mass by 2% to 4% (980,8827,8873). Dietary supplementation with calcium and vitamin D seems to moderately reduce bone loss measured in the femoral neck, spine, and total body, and seems to reduce the incidence of nonvertebral fractures in older patients with osteopenia or low BMD (980).
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Adequate calcium intake seems to prevent symptoms of PMS. Details: There seems to be a link between low dietary calcium intake and symptoms of PMS (2004,6847,39007). Taking calcium 1000-1336 mg daily seems to significantly reduce depressed mood, water retention, and pain, especially if daily calcium intake is inadequate (1822,1823,1824,2004,95821). Calcium carbonate 1200 mg daily seems to decrease PMS symptom scores by about 18% when compared with placebo (1822). Increasing dietary calcium intake is also associated with a decreased risk of developing PMS. Consuming an average of 1283 mg of calcium per day from foods is associated with about a 30% lower risk of developing PMS compared with consuming an average of 529 mg daily (13094); however, taking calcium supplements does not appear to be associated with the risk of developing PMS.

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Colorectal cancer. Oral calcium seems to be beneficial for preventing colorectal cancer, especially in those with adequate vitamin D levels and normal body mass index (BMI). Details: Population studies have found that increased intake of dietary or supplemental calcium is associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer and colorectal adenomas (1047,8820,12120,38951,98898,98899). Clinical trials and meta-analyses of clinical research also show that taking calcium supplements 1.2-2 grams daily for up to 4 years can reduce the risk of colorectal adenoma recurrence by up to 29% (970,12118,12950,15267,34596,38718,39042,95817). However, not all research has been positive. Some meta-analyses of clinical research or observational studies suggest that taking calcium does not reduce the risk of familial adenomatous polyposis or colorectal cancer (34596,39042,39349). Other contradictory research suggests that postmenopausal females who take calcium 1000 mg daily plus vitamin D 400 IU daily do not have a reduced risk of developing colorectal cancer (14290); however, this finding may not be reliable due to the high baseline intake of calcium in study participants. The reason for these conflicting findings is not entirely clear. Vitamin D might be an important factor. People with lower than average vitamin D levels do not seem to get any benefit from calcium supplements (12118). Also, one meta-analysis of previous trials suggests that taking calcium 1200 mg daily reduces the risk of colorectal adenomas in people with a normal BMI, but not in those who are overweight or obese (99715). Despite this conflicting evidence, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a qualified health claim in 2005 stating that calcium supplements may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and colorectal adenomas. However, the FDA has determined that there is little scientific evidence to support this claim (102366).
• Fetal bone mineralization. If calcium intakes are low during pregnancy, oral calcium seems to be beneficial for increasing fetal bone density. Details: With low dietary calcium intake (less than 562 mg elemental calcium daily) during pregnancy, calcium supplementation increases fetal bone mineralization and density. However, calcium supplementation does not offer any additional benefit if calcium intakes are adequate (3263,3264).
• Hypertension. Oral calcium seems to reduce blood pressure by a small amount. However, it is unclear if this reduction is clinically significant. Details: Many clinical trials and observational studies show that intake of calcium supplements or dietary calcium modestly reduces blood pressure in patients with or without hypertension, usually around 1-2 mmHg. Calcium seems to be more effective for certain subpopulations of patients, such as salt-sensitive people and patients with low baseline dietary calcium intake (945,972,974,976,984,1818,1819,1820,1821,6852)(13138,14406,38803,39063,39094,39221). Also, a meta-analysis of clinical research shows that calcium intake during pregnancy reduces systolic blood pressure in offspring by 1-2 mmHg (38852). However, a large-scale clinical trial in postmenopausal females shows that taking vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 400 IU daily in combination with elemental calcium 1000 mg daily does not lower blood pressure or reduce the risk of developing hypertension (16714). Additionally, a meta-analysis of 8 clinical trials shows that taking calcium in combination with vitamin D for up to 7 years has no effect on blood pressure (98861). The validity of this finding is limited by the poor methodological quality of the included studies. Some observational research suggests that calcium can reduce the risk for hypertension. Population research in females aged 45 years and older suggests that higher intake of calcium from both diet and supplement sources is linked to a lower risk of developing hypertension when compared to lower calcium intake (14265). In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a qualified health claim stating that calcium supplements may reduce the risk of hypertension. However, the FDA has concluded that this claim is based on supporting, rather than conclusive, evidence (102367).
• Osteomalacia. Oral calcium seems to reverse osteomalacia caused by very low calcium intakes. Details: Osteomalacia is commonly caused by vitamin D deficiency; however, very low calcium intake can also lead to osteomalacia in children and adults. Calcium supplementation can reverse osteomalacia caused by calcium deficiency. Along with appropriate vitamin D supplementation, individuals at risk of osteomalacia need sufficient calcium intake (94819).
• Pre-eclampsia. Oral calcium seems to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia in high risk pregnancies, especially if calcium intakes are low. Details: Although there is some conflicting evidence (971,38756), most clinical research shows that taking calcium orally 1-2 grams daily reduces pregnancy-related hypertension and pre-eclampsia (973,1833,8828,39043,39319,39426,96480). Calcium appears to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia by about 50% when compared with placebo. One meta-analysis of 19 controlled trials involving over 29,000 pregnancies found that for every 19 females treated with calcium, one episode of pre-eclampsia would be avoided (96480). Calcium appears to have the greatest effect in individuals at high-risk of pre-eclampsia or with low calcium levels, and when taken at greater than or equal to 20 weeks of gestation (15029,38497,96480,99714). In 2005, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a qualified health claim regarding the use of calcium supplements to reduce the risk of pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia. However, due to the limited and conflicting research available at that time, the FDA stated that this outcome was highly unlikely. Since then, large, high-quality clinical research has supported this finding. In fact, in 2016 the World Health Organization (WHO) released a recommendation to prescribe oral calcium supplementation 1.5-2 grams daily during pregnancies at high risk of pre-eclampsia if dietary calcium intakes are low, in order to prevent pre-eclampsia (97347).
• Rickets. Oral calcium seems to reverse rickets caused by very low calcium intakes. Details: Rickets is commonly caused be vitamin D deficiency; however, very low calcium intake can also lead to rickets. Calcium supplementation can reverse rickets caused by calcium deficiency (94819). A small clinical study in children with nutritional rickets shows that taking calcium 500-2000 mg daily for 24 weeks improves radiographically measured rickets caused by calcium deficiency. Rickets seems to improve more rapidly with calcium 1000 mg compared to calcium 500 mg. However, increasing the calcium dose to 2000 mg daily is not more beneficial than calcium 1000 mg daily (98904).
• Tooth retention. Oral calcium with vitamin D seems to help with tooth retention in the elderly population. Details: A clinical trial in the elderly population shows that taking calcium citrate malate 500 mg daily along with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 700 IU daily orally for 3 years reduces the risk of tooth loss by about 52% when compared with placebo (8816).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Breast cancer. Oral calcium does not seem to be beneficial for breast cancer prevention. Details: Although some population research disagrees (15631,39041,95811,107237), most research shows that increased calcium intake is not associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer (15631,16715,98895,107236,107237). Subgroup analyses of population research suggest that calcium intake may reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal, but not pre-menopausal, adults (15631,107237). Another subgroup analysis in a large meta-analysis of population research also suggests that dietary intake may reduce estrogen receptor(ER)-negative breast cancer, but not ER-positive breast cancer (107236). However, most other research has not evaluated the effects of calcium supplementation or intake on breast cancer subtypes. The best evidence to date, from a large scale clinical trial (Women's Health Initiative), shows that taking vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 400 IU daily plus calcium 1000 mg daily for 7 years after menopause does not reduce the risk of developing invasive breast cancer at the end of the study and 5 years after the end of the intervention (16715,98895).
• Fractures. Although oral calcium prevents fractures in osteoporosis, most evidence shows that calcium does NOT prevent factures in people who do not have osteoporosis. See Osteoporosis discussion for more information on the use of calcium for this purpose. Details: The most recent and robust meta-analysis of clinical research shows that calcium supplementation with or without vitamin D is NOT associated with reduced fractures in older adults without osteoporosis (95822). A large-scale study in postmenopausal females aged 50-79 years suggests calcium 1000 mg plus vitamin D 400 IU daily for 7 years only modestly improves bone mineral density (BMD) and does not significantly reduce fracture risk. This lack of effect may have been due to low adherence to the treatment regimen. In those who were 80% adherent, the combination of calcium plus vitamin D reduced the risk of hip fracture by about 29% (14282). Also, some clinical research shows that taking calcium carbonate 1000 mg and vitamin D 400 IU for 5 years does not attenuate loss of height after menopause when compared with placebo (95810). Additional meta-analyses of clinical and observational evidence suggest that calcium supplementation is not associated with a reduced risk of vertebral or nonvertebral fractures, such as hip fractures (38589,38888,98895). Some other research has suggested that calcium in combination with vitamin D reduces fracture risk in older patients without osteoporosis (980,1836,8818,12930,12933,12952,38849,102145,107235); however, this research is confounded by a number of variables, including the presence of hormonal therapy and differing levels of fracture risk at baseline (1836,8818,95822). Conflicting findings on this topic might also be due to genetic differences in patient populations. A population analysis of the Women's Health Initiative study found that, in older females with the lowest genetic susceptibility to low bone mineral density (BMD), taking calcium with vitamin D is associated with a reduction in fracture risk. However, in females with a higher genetic susceptibility to low BMD, there is no association between supplementation and fracture risk. This might be because individuals with a lower susceptibility to low BMD are also more responsive to calcium and vitamin D supplementation (97357). As of April 2018, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether supplementing with vitamin D >400 IU daily along with calcium >1000 mg daily is safe and effective for preventing fractures in community dwelling adults without vitamin D deficiency, osteoporosis, or a history of fracture. USPSTF recommends against supplementing with calcium 1000 mg daily or less along with vitamin D 400 IU daily or less for preventing primary fractures in community-dwelling postmenopausal females (95695).
• Obesity. Oral calcium does not seem to improve weight loss. Details: Observational research has found that adults and children with low calcium intake are more likely to gain weight, have a higher body mass index (BMI), and be overweight or obese when compared to people with high calcium intake (12124,12125,12126,12127,14265). Additional observational research has found that increasing calcium intake is associated with weight loss in females; the results in males have been conflicting (12127,15602,15603). Despite these findings from observational research and a few small clinical studies (12128,15397,14438,98905), most clinical research has found that increased calcium intake does not increase weight loss (12052,13138,15396,15399,38985,39004,97356). The most recent meta-analysis of 20 clinical studies shows that daily dietary and supplemental calcium intake that meets the dietary reference intake (DRI) of 1000 mg or more daily does not increase weight loss in overweight individuals or patients with obesity when compared with intake below the DRI (95813). An older meta-analysis of 13 clinical trials also shows that increased dietary and supplemental calcium intake does not increase weight loss (15605).
• Overall mortality. Oral calcium does not seem to reduce overall mortality. Details: While some population research has found that calcium taken in combination with vitamin D in older females is associated with a lower risk of death (97353), most evidence shows that calcium, with or without vitamin D, has no effect on all-cause mortality (93533,97308).

INEFFECTIVE

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD). Oral calcium does not reduce the risk of developing CVD and may actually increase risk in some patients. Details: Clinical research shows that calcium does not decrease CVD risk. Several separate meta-analyses of clinical and population research involving over 50,000 patients show that taking calcium 600-1200 mg daily for up to 7 years does not reduce the risk of CVD-related outcomes, including stroke and myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, or overall mortality (39018,91350,92994,93533,97308,98902,107231,107233). No association was found between total dietary or supplemental calcium intake with or without vitamin D and the risk of CVD or mortality (91350,93533,97308). In fact, some population and clinical research has found that when calcium is used alone or with vitamin D, there is an INCREASED risk of CVD and coronary heart disease (38077,107233). However, other clinical research disagrees (93533). One meta-analysis of high-quality randomized controlled trials shows that taking calcium for 2-7 years increases the risk of CVD and coronary heart disease by 1.1-1.2 times when compared with control. However, the majority of the included research evaluated postmenopausal females and it is unclear if this finding is applicable to other populations (107233).
• Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Intravenous calcium does not prevent nerve pain in patients given oxaliplatin. Oral calcium has not been evaluated for this purpose. Details: While pooled analyses of cohort studies and randomized controlled trials suggest that calcium and magnesium infusion decreases the incidence of oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity, a meta-analysis of only randomized controlled trials shows that the infusion has no effect in preventing neurotoxicity (90028,90029,90031). Additionally, clinical trials show that administering calcium gluconate 1 gram with magnesium sulfate 1 gram intravenously immediately before, or before and after, the administration of a single oxaliplatin cycle (90005), or over the entire 6-cycle course of oxaliplatin, does not improve symptoms of neurotoxicity when compared with placebo (96474).
• Myocardial infarction (MI). Oral calcium does not prevent MI. When taken in the absence of vitamin D, oral calcium may increase the risk of MI. Details: Population research has found that increased dietary intake of calcium is associated with a decreased risk of MI (91350). However, a 2010 meta-analysis of clinical research shows that taking calcium at a dose of at least 500 mg daily is associated with an approximate 30% INCREASE in the risk of MI in patients over the age of 40. According to this analysis, one additional case of MI will occur for every 69 patients that take calcium for 5 years (17482). A more recent meta-analysis of high-quality randomized controlled trials shows that taking calcium for 2-7 years increases the risk of MI by 1.2 times when compared with control. However, the majority of the included research studied postmenopausal females and it is unclear if this finding is applicable to other populations (107233) In contrast, other meta-analyses of clinical research have shown that taking calcium for up to 7 years is NOT associated with an increased risk of MI, including a meta-analysis that only included postmenopausal females (93533,107231). Reasons for these discrepancies are not entirely clear. It may relate to whether calcium is taken as monotherapy or in combination with vitamin D. When taken with vitamin D, which is commonly recommended, calcium supplementation does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of MI in postmenopausal females (93533). Also, the association between calcium supplementation and MI risk may be influenced by the amount of calcium consumed as part of the diet. Supplementation with calcium may be associated with an increased risk of MI in people with dietary calcium intake above 805 mg daily, but not in those with dietary calcium intake below 805 mg daily (17482)

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Alcohol use disorder. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for alcohol use disorder. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking calcium carbonate 800 mg and vitamin D 200 IU orally daily for 14 days modestly reduces alcohol craving scores and withdrawal scores when compared with placebo in adults with alcohol dependence that are undergoing withdrawal. Taking calcium carbonate did not reduce the need for diazepam; however, the study may have been inadequately powered to detect a difference between groups (107234).
• Atherosclerosis. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for atherosclerosis. Details: A population study has found that taking calcium 1.2 grams daily for 3 years has no effect on carotid intima thickness or carotid atherosclerosis incidence. A total calcium intake (dietary and supplemental) of at least 1794 mg daily in older females may be associated with a decreased risk of carotid atherosclerosis when compared with a total calcium intake below 1010 mg daily (97351).
• Autism spectrum disorder. It is unclear if oral calcium during pregnancy is beneficial for reducing the odds of autism spectrum disorder in the offspring. Details: A small observational study found that calcium supplementation during pregnancy is associated with a 52% reduced odds of an autism spectrum disorder in the offspring (98900).
• Cancer. Oral calcium alone does not seem to prevent cancer. It is unclear if oral calcium with vitamin D is beneficial for preventing cancer. Details: Taking calcium alone does not seem to significantly reduce the risk of cancer (12118,15629). The role of calcium in cancer prevention when taken along with vitamin D is controversial, as conflicting results exist. One clinical trial shows that healthy postmenopausal females who take supplemental calcium 1400-1500 mg daily plus vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 1100 IU daily have a 60% lower relative risk for developing cancer of any type. Approximately 25 postmenopausal females would need to take this combination for 4 years to prevent one occurrence of cancer (15629). However, a more recent clinical study shows that healthy postmenopausal females who take supplemental calcium 1500 mg daily plus vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) 2000 IU daily do not have a reduced risk of cancer at 4 years (93943). Reasons for the disparate results are not entirely clear. The discrepancies do not appear to be related to baseline vitamin D levels or different study populations. It is possible that, given the 10-year time lapse between the two publications, the discrepancies result from differences in cancer detection capability. Also, since cancer risk was a secondary outcome measure in the earlier study and a primary outcome measure in the more recent study, it is possible that the discrepancies result from differences in statistical methodologies. The effect of vitamin D and calcium on cancer risk in males and younger patients is not known. There is also interest in using calcium for reducing the risk of hematological malignancies. An analysis of the Women's Health Initiative study shows that taking calcium 1000 mg daily in combination with vitamin D3 400 IU for up to 10 years is associated with a 20% reduction in the risk of hematologic malignancies when compared with placebo. However, no effect on hematologic malignancy related mortality was seen (97354).
• Depression. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for depression prevention. Details: Population research has found no association between a higher dietary intake of calcium and the risk of depression when compared with a lower dietary intake of calcium (96480).
• Diabetes. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for type 2 diabetes prevention. Details: Some population research has found that a higher intake of calcium from diet or supplements, alone or in combination with vitamin D, is associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes when compared with lower calcium intake (14265,16713,96473). However, population research is often limited by confounding variables. For example, one analysis found that any beneficial effect might be influenced by concomitant magnesium intake (96473). Furthermore, other population research has found that serum calcium levels higher than 9.6 mg/dL are associated with greater risk of developing diabetes in Chinese adults with osteoporosis. This study is limited because it was not determined whether increased serum calcium was due to increased calcium intake or another factor such as parathyroid function (95815).
• Dysmenorrhea. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for reducing pain associated with dysmenorrhea. Details: Clinical research shows that taking calcium carbonate 1000 mg with vitamin D 5000 IU daily for three menstrual cycles does not reduce pain when compared with placebo in patients with primary dysmenorrhea (95821). However, calcium carbonate 1000 mg taken alone seems to reduce pain when compared with placebo.
• Endometrial cancer. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for endometrial cancer prevention. Details: A meta-analysis of population research suggests that calcium supplements may reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, but dietary calcium does not seem to have any effect (38893).
• Fall prevention. It is unclear if oral calcium with vitamin D is beneficial for preventing falls. Details: Research suggests that calcium in combination with vitamin D, but not calcium alone, might prevent falls by decreasing body sway and normalizing systolic blood pressure (6362,11939,39038). Some experts think the combination of calcium and vitamin D may be important (11916). Preliminary clinical research in adults residing in a health care facility shows that taking vitamin D supplements while increasing dietary calcium and protein for 2 years reduces falls by 11% when compared with standard diets. Intervention diets were supplemented with milk, yogurt, and cheese to provide calcium 1142 mg and protein 69 grams daily (107235). There might also be different effects in females compared to males. In one study, females aged 65 years or older who took vitamin D 700 IU plus calcium citrate 500 mg daily over a 3-year period had a 46% lower risk of falling. However, this combination did not decrease falls in males (14291).
• Fluorosis. Oral calcium has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Taking calcium orally, in combination with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and vitamin D, seems to be effective for reducing excessive fluoride levels in children and improving symptoms of fluorosis in children aged 6-12 years (990).
• Heart failure. It is unclear if oral calcium in combination with vitamin D is beneficial for preventing heart failure. Details: Based on a secondary analysis of a large-scale clinical trial (Women's Health Initiative), taking calcium 1000 mg with vitamin D 400 IU daily does not reduce the risk of heart failure in the overall population or in individuals at high risk. However, in a subgroup of postmenopausal females without risk factors for heart failure, calcium and vitamin D supplementation might reduce the risk of developing heart failure by about 37% (97307).
• Hypercholesterolemia. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for hypercholesterolemia. Details: Some evidence shows that taking calcium carbonate 400 mg three times daily reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by 4% and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels by 4% after 6 weeks of treatment when used in combination with a low-fat diet (American Heart Association Step 1) (2557). In contrast, a study in females with dyslipidemia shows that taking calcium 800 mg daily for 2 years might INCREASE total cholesterol levels by about 12 mg/dL when compared with placebo. This same study showed an association between calcium supplementation and an increase in total cholesterol levels and carotid intimal thickness in postmenopausal females, but not premenopausal females (97350). A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials which included both healthy patients and patients with dyslipidemia shows that taking calcium 500-2000 mg daily and vitamin D 200-7142 IU daily modestly improves HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, but not LDL cholesterol levels, when compared with placebo. Subgroup analyses suggest that calcium and vitamin D supplementation is more effective in patients with dyslipidemia at baseline. It is unclear if this effect is due to calcium, vitamin D, or the combination (107227). However, other research shows that taking a specific supplement containing calcium 600 mg plus vitamin D 200 IU (Caltrate 600 D, Wyeth Consumer Healthcare Inc.) twice daily in combination with calorie restriction does not reduce total or LDL cholesterol levels when compared with placebo (15601).
• Lead toxicity. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for reducing blood levels of lead. Details: Lead is mobilized along with calcium from bone during pregnancy and lactation, resulting in increased serum concentrations of lead. One clinical study suggests that calcium supplementation does not significantly decrease these elevated lead concentrations (1586). However, another clinical study suggests that taking calcium reduces blood lead levels by 11% when compared with placebo, with greatest effects observed in those with high baseline levels of lead (38957).
• Lyme disease. Although there is interest in using oral calcium for Lyme disease, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of calcium for this condition.
• Metabolic syndrome. It is unclear if oral calcium alone or with vitamin D is beneficial for metabolic syndrome prevention. Details: Population research has found that a higher intake of calcium from diet and supplements alone, or in combination with vitamin D, is associated with a lower risk of developing metabolic syndrome when compared with lower calcium intake (14265,16713).
• Nephrotic syndrome. It is unclear if oral calcium with vitamin D is beneficial for preventing nephrotic syndrome. Details: Clinical research shows that taking calcium 500-1000 mg daily for 3 months in combination with vitamin D3 60,000 IU daily or weekly for 4 weeks has no effect on bone mineral density or the risk of relapse in children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome (97355).
• Nonmelanoma skin cancer. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for preventing keratinocyte carcinomas. Details: In middle aged and older adults recently diagnosed with a colorectal adenoma, clinical research shows that taking calcium 1200 mg daily as calcium carbonate for 3-5 years does not reduce the incidence of keratinocyte cancer when compared with placebo over a median of 8 years. A sub-group analysis shows that taking calcium alone or with vitamin D3 1000 IU daily reduced the risk of invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma by a moderate amount, but had no effect on the risk of basal cell carcinoma (104622).
• Oral mucositis. When used in combination with fluoride treatments, a calcium phosphate mouth rinse seems to prevent and reduce mucositis-related pain in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Details: A small clinical study in patients undergoing HSCT shows that using a particular mouth rinse (Caphosol, EUSA Pharma) containing calcium phosphate, in combination with fluoride treatments, reduces days of mucositis, the duration of pain, and the dose and days of morphine used when compared with placebo and fluoride treatment (38611).
• Ovarian cancer. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for ovarian cancer prevention. Details: An older meta-analysis of 12 cohort studies found that dietary calcium intake is not associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer (38792). However, a more recent pooled analysis of 15 cohort and case-control studies has found that the highest intake of dietary or dairy calcium is associated with a 20% lower risk of ovarian cancer when compared to the lowest intake (97349).
• Postpartum depression. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for reducing postpartum depression risk. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that taking calcium 2 grams daily beginning at 11-21 weeks gestation reduces depression at 12 weeks postpartum when compared with placebo. However, no benefit is seen at 6 weeks postpartum (39447).
• Pregnancy-related leg cramps. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for preventing leg cramps during pregnancy. Details: A small clinical study shows that taking calcium 1 gram twice daily (as a mixture of salts) for 2 weeks can reduce pregnancy-related leg cramps during the second half of pregnancy when compared with no treatment (2567).
• Prostate cancer. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for prostate cancer prevention. Details: Some clinical research shows that taking calcium 1200 mg daily might decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer (14133). However, some epidemiological research suggests that consuming very high doses of calcium, over 2000 mg daily, might actually increase the risk of developing prostate cancer (14134). Some epidemiological research also suggests that doses greater than 1500 mg daily increase the risk of poorly differentiated, clinically advanced, and fatal prostate cancer (14132). Consumption of dairy products has also been weakly linked to a modest increase in risk of prostate cancer (98894). However, contradictory research suggests that there is no association between dietary intake of calcium and overall risk of prostate cancer (14131,14132,104630).
• Stroke. It is unclear if oral calcium is beneficial for stroke prevention. Details: Some population research has found that increasing dietary calcium intake is associated with a decreased risk of ischemic stroke (4822,38678). However, other population research has found that increasing dietary calcium intake is not associated with a decreased risk of stroke (91350). One meta-analysis of high-quality randomized controlled trials shows that taking calcium for 2-7 years does not affect the risk of stroke when compared with control. However, the majority of the included research evaluated postmenopausal females, and it is unclear if this finding is applicable to other populations (107233).
• Vertigo. Oral calcium with vitamin D might reduce positional vertigo; the effect of calcium when used alone is unclear. Details: A large clinical study in adults with recurrent benign paroxysmal positional vertigo shows that taking calcium 500 mg and vitamin D 400 IU twice daily for one year reduces annual recurrence of vertigo by 27% when compared with no treatment. The number needed to treat to prevent vertigo was 3.7 (103681). It is unclear if this benefit is due to vitamin D, calcium, or the combination. More evidence is needed to rate calcium for these uses.

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EFFECTIVE

• Bowel preparation. Oral sodium phosphate is effective for cleansing the colon in preparation for colonoscopy; however, it is unclear whether sodium phosphate is as effective as polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution. Some products are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this use. However, due to the potential for kidney damage, sodium phosphate is not recommended as first-line therapy. Details: Sodium phosphate tablets (OsmoPrep, Salix Pharmaceuticals; Visicol, Salix Pharmaceuticals) are FDA-approved for cleansing the colon in preparation for colonoscopy. Clinical research shows that using the OsmoPrep formulation can achieve an "excellent" or "good" response rate, which is defined as having 90% of the mucosa visible with only some or little suctioning needed, in 94% to 97% of patients (88133). Similarly, using the specific product Visicol has been shown to achieve an excellent or good response rate in 82% to 86% of patients (94674). Non-FDA-approved sodium phosphate products have also been investigated. One such product (Fleet Phospho-soda, C. B. Fleet Co.) has been shown to achieve adequate bowel cleansing in 23% to 89% of patients (93846,94673). Another sodium phosphate tablet preparation (Clicolon tablets, Korea Pharma Co.) has been shown to achieve adequate bowel cleansing in 63% to 93% of patients (93848,93850,93853). Excellent or good bowel cleansing was found in 98.6% of patients using a 32-tablet regimen of other sodium phosphate tablets (Quiklean, Universal Integrated Corporation) (107008). Reasons for the differences in the percentage of patients who achieve adequate bowel cleansing with the same sodium phosphate product may relate to the method used to analyze bowel cleansing, differences in diet followed during bowel cleansing, and demographic factors (93846,93848,93850,93853). Various preparations (OsmoPrep, Salix Pharmaceuticals; Visicol, Salix Pharmaceuticals; Clicolon tablets, Korea Pharma Co.; Quiklean, Universal Integrated Corporation) have been used which contain 1.102 grams of sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate and 0.398 grams of sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous. These products have been taken as 3-4 tablets with 8 ounces of water every 15 minutes for a total of 20 tablets the evening before colonoscopy, and 3-4 tablets with 8 ounces of water every 15 minutes for a total of 12-20 tablets the morning of a colonoscopy (88133,93848,93850,94674,107008). Also, sodium phosphate solution (Fleet Phospho-soda, C. B. Fleet Co.) containing sodium hydrogen phosphate 24.4 grams and disodium phosphate dodecahydrate 10.8 grams has also been used the morning and evening before the procedure (93846). Numerous publications have compared the bowel cleansing activity of sodium phosphate with PEG solution. When given as a split-overnight dosage, sodium phosphate is about as effective as PEG solutions in achieving adequate bowel cleansing. However, when day-before dosage is used, PEG is more effective for bowel cleansing than sodium phosphate (93861,93862,107008). Sodium phosphate and PEG may have different effectiveness depending on the colonic site assessed. When only trials assessing descending colon cleansing are considered, sodium phosphate is found to work similarly to PEG solutions. When only studies assessing ascending colon cleansing are considered, PEG is more effective for bowel cleansing than sodium phosphate (93861). Also, a large clinical trial in outpatients scheduled for non-sedated colonoscopy shows that receiving PEG resulted in an easier insertion and a less painful colonoscopy when compared with receiving sodium phosphate (104473). However, in patients with chronic constipation, sodium phosphate seems to be preferable. A meta-analysis of three small clinical studies in adults with chronic constipation shows that using sodium phosphate has an 87% greater chance of a successful bowel preparation when compared with using PEG (104472). Sodium phosphate is not recommended as first-line therapy for bowel preparation prior to colonoscopy due to the potential for kidney damage (93863,94672). In fact, one sodium phosphate preparation (Fleet Phospho-soda, C. B. Fleet Co.) that was previously approved as an over-the-counter supplement for bowel preparation in the US was withdrawn from the market for this indication in December 2008 due to concerns for phosphate-induced kidney disease (94672). Of the sodium phosphate products that are still approved by the FDA, current guidelines recommend that these products not be used for bowel cleansing in patients with kidney disease, pre-existing electrolyte disturbances, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, ascites, or inflammatory bowel disease. Guidelines also recommend that caution should be used if these products are prescribed for patients who are elderly, hypertensive, or taking certain classes of drugs (94672). For small bowel preparation for endoscopy, a meta-analysis suggests that sodium phosphate is no more effective than fasting alone (93860).
• Hypophosphatemia. Oral or intravenous phosphate salts are effective for the prevention or treatment of hypophosphatemia. Some products are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this use. Details: Taking sodium or potassium phosphate orally is effective for preventing and treating hypophosphatemia (15). Treating hypophosphatemia with oral phosphates requires monitoring of serum electrolyte levels to determine appropriate dosing (15). The FDA-approved intravenous (IV) product is also used for the correction of hypophosphatemia (8302,8303,88135). FDA-approved intravenous (IV) sodium phosphate or potassium phosphate 15-30 mmol is typically given over 2-12 hours. Higher doses have been used if needed to increase efficacy (8302,8303,88135).

LIKELY EFFECTIVE

• Constipation. Oral or rectal sodium phosphate is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an ingredient in over-the-counter (OTC) products to treat constipation. Details: Sodium phosphate is an FDA-permitted ingredient of oral and rectal OTC products intended for the treatment of constipation (88107).
• Dyspepsia. Oral aluminum phosphate and calcium phosphate are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as ingredients in over-the-counter (OTC) antacids. Details: Aluminum phosphate and calcium phosphate are FDA-permitted ingredients of oral OTC products intended for use as antacids (88107).
• Hypercalcemia. Although other treatments are preferred, oral non-calcium phosphate salts are beneficial for treatment of mild to moderate hypercalcemia. Details: Taking phosphate salts (except calcium phosphate) orally is effective for treating mild to moderate hypercalcemia (88144,88145). Treating hypercalcemia with oral phosphates requires monitoring of serum electrolyte levels to determine appropriate dosing (15); other agents are now preferred (6479). Intravenous phosphates should be avoided due to the risk of calcium precipitation in vital organs (metastatic calcification) (15,88144,88145).

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis). Oral potassium phosphate seems to be beneficial for prevention of kidney stones in individuals with hypercalciuria. Details: Taking potassium phosphate orally may help prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones in patients with hypercalciuria (6470). Clinical research in adults with absorptive hypercalciuria and at high risk for stone formation shows that taking a specific slow-release potassium phosphate product (Uro-Phos-K, Mission Pharmacal), providing phosphate 620 mg orally twice daily for 4 days, reduces urinary calcium excretion by 35% to 40% (2208,2209). Potassium and sodium phosphate salts providing 1200-1500 mg of elemental phosphate daily have been used (2209,6470).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Athletic performance. The evidence is mixed as to whether oral sodium phosphate improves cycling or running performance. Most research suggests that oral calcium phosphate and potassium phosphate are not beneficial. Details: Clinical research shows that taking calcium phosphate or potassium phosphate orally does not improve running or cycling performance (2499,9300,8301). Evidence for the use of sodium phosphate to improve cycling performance is mixed. One very small clinical study shows that taking sodium phosphate as tribasic sodium phosphate dodecahydrate for 6 days before a 10-mile cycling trial increases mean power output by about 10% and decreases the time needed to complete the trial by 3% in trained male cyclists (88150). Other small clinical trials in trained cyclists show that taking the same form of sodium phosphate as 50 mg/kg of fat-free mass in four divided doses daily for 6 days modestly improves work, power output, and peak oxygen uptake and reduces heart rate during high-intensity cycling exercise when compared to baseline (93857,93858,93859,107007). However, conflicting research shows that taking a similar dosage of this form of sodium phosphate does not improve time trial performance, work accomplished relative to energy expenditure, power output, or oxygen uptake in trained cyclists (93855,93856,107007). Sodium phosphate has also been evaluated for improving running performance, with mixed findings. Two small clinical trials in female athletes show that tribasic sodium phosphate dodecahydrate 50 mg/kg of fat-free mass taken in four divided doses daily for 6 days moderately improves repeated sprint times when compared with placebo (93843,93844). However, taking the same dosage does not significantly improve sprint times in male athletes (93849). Also, sodium phosphate does not seem to improve endurance or aerobic capacity in treadmill tests (8301,93854). Reasons for the discrepancies regarding the effects of sodium phosphate on athletic performance are not entirely clear, but likely relate to the very small number of participants in the included trials.
• Diabetic ketoacidosis. Potassium phosphate infusion is not recommended as first-line therapy for adults with diabetic ketoacidosis. Details: Clinical research shows that intravenous infusion of potassium phosphate 8.5 mmol/hour (approximately 6 grams of phosphate over 24 hours) along with potassium chloride 12.5 mEq/hour provides no benefit over potassium chloride alone in adults with diabetic ketoacidosis (88149). Guidelines for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in the both the US and UK do not recommend phosphate replacement for most patients. However, it may be considered in specific cases, such as cardiac dysfunction, anemia, respiratory depression, and serum phosphate concentrations below 1 mg/dL (107349,107350A).
• Osteoporosis. Calcium phosphate seems to be beneficial for bone density improvement; however, it does not seem to be more beneficial than calcium carbonate. Details: In postmenopausal adults with osteoporosis and low phosphate intakes, taking calcium 1800 mg daily as tricalcium phosphate for 12 months improves lumbar spine and hip densities. However, it is no more effective than taking the same amount of calcium as calcium carbonate (93847). The calcium products were used in combination subcutaneous teriparatide and oral vitamin D (cholecalciferol) 1000 IU daily.
• Refeeding syndrome. It is unclear if intravenous potassium phosphate or sodium phosphate is beneficial for prevention of refeeding syndrome. Details: Preliminary clinical research shows that giving intravenous sodium and potassium phosphates, 50 mmol (1.56 grams) phosphate over 24 hours, prevents the refeeding syndrome seen when restarting adequate nutrition after severe malnutrition or starvation when compared with historical controls (88148). More evidence is needed to rate phosphate salts for these uses.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately. Blueberry, as the whole fruit, juice, or in a powder formulation, is safe when consumed in amounts commonly found in foods (13533,92387,92388,92394,96467,97181,99139). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of blueberry when used topically or when the leaves are used orally.

CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately in amounts commonly found in foods (13533,96465).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally in amounts commonly found in foods (13533,107281). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of blueberry for medicinal use; avoid using.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally or intravenously and appropriately. Calcium is safe when used in appropriate doses (7555,12928,12946,95817). However, excessive doses should be avoided. The Institute of Medicine sets the daily tolerable upper intake level (UL) for calcium according to age as follows: Age 0-6 months, 1000 mg; 6-12 months, 1500 mg; 1-8 years, 2500 mg; 9-18 years, 3000 mg; 19-50 years, 2500 mg; 51+ years, 2000 mg (17506). Doses over these levels can increase the risk of side effects such as kidney stone, hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia, and milk-alkali syndrome. There has also been concern that calcium intake may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), including myocardial infarction (MI). Some clinical research suggests that calcium intake, often in amounts over the recommended daily intake level of 1000-1300 mg daily for adults, is associated with an increased risk of CVD, CHD, and MI (16118,17482,91350,107233). However, these studies, particularly meta-analyses, have been criticized for excluding trials in which calcium was administered with vitamin D (94137). Many of these trials also only included postmenopausal females. Other analyses report conflicting results, and have not shown that calcium intake affects the risk of CVD, CHD, or MI (92994,93533,97308,107231). Advise patients not to consume more than the recommended daily intake of 1000-1200 mg per day and to consider total calcium intake from both dietary and supplemental sources (17484). Also, advise patients taking calcium supplements to take calcium along with vitamin D (93533).

POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally in excessive doses. The National Academy of Medicine sets the daily tolerable upper intake level (UL) for calcium according to age as follows: 19-50 years, 2500 mg; 51 years and older, 2000 mg (17506). Doses over these levels can increase the risk of side effects such as kidney stones, hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia, and milk-alkali syndrome. There has also been concern that calcium intake may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), including myocardial infarction (MI). Some clinical research suggests that calcium intake, often in amounts over the recommended daily intake level of 1000-1300 mg daily for adults, is associated with an increased risk of CVD, CHD, and MI (16118,17482,91350,107233). However, these studies, particularly meta-analyses, have been criticized for excluding trials in which calcium was administered with vitamin D (94137). Many of these trials also only included postmenopausal females. Other analyses report conflicting results, and have not shown that calcium intake affects the risk of CVD, CHD, or MI (92994,93533,97308,107231). Advise patients to not consume more than the recommended daily intake of 1000-1200 mg per day and to consider total calcium intake from both dietary and supplemental sources (17484). Also, advise patients taking calcium supplements to take calcium along with vitamin D (93533).

CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately. Calcium is safe when used in appropriate doses (17506).

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally in excessive doses. The Institute of Medicine sets the daily tolerable upper intake level (UL) for calcium according to age as follows: 0-6 months, 1000 mg; 6-12 months, 1500 mg; 1-8 years, 2500 mg; 9-18 years, 3000 mg (17506). Doses over these levels can increase the risk of side effects such as kidney stones, hypercalciuria, hypercalcemia, and milk-alkali syndrome.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately (945,1586,3263,3264,17506). The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends prescribing oral calcium supplementation 1.5-2 grams daily during pregnancy to those with low dietary calcium intake to prevent pre-eclampsia (97347).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when used orally in excessive doses. The Institute of Medicine sets the same daily tolerable upper intake level (UL) for calcium according to age independent of pregnancy status: 9-18 years, 3000 mg; 19-50 years, 2500 mg (17506). Doses over these amounts might increase the risk of neonatal hypocalcemia-induced seizures possibly caused by transient neonatal hypoparathyroidism in the setting of excessive calcium supplementation during pregnancy, especially during the third trimester. Neonatal hypocalcemia is a risk factor for neonatal seizures (97345).

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LIKELY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately short-term (15). ...when sodium phosphate is used rectally and appropriately, no more than once every 24 hours, short-term (104471). Long-term use or high doses used orally or rectally require monitoring of serum electrolytes (2494,2495,2496,2497,2498,3092,112922). ...when used intravenously. Potassium phosphate is an FDA-approved prescription drug (15).

POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when phosphate (expressed as phosphorus) intake exceeds the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 4 grams daily for adults under 70 years and 3 grams daily for adults older than 70. Hyperphosphatemia, resulting in electrolyte disturbances, alterations in calcium homeostasis, and calcification of nonskeletal tissues, may occur (7555). ...when used rectally more frequently than once every 24 hours, in excessive doses, with longer retention enema time, or in older patients with comorbidity or renal impairment (112922). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that this may increase the risk of hyperphosphatemia, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances leading to kidney and heart damage (104471).

CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately at recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). The daily RDAs are: children 1-3 years, 460 mg; children 4-8 years, 500 mg; males and females 9-18 years, 1250 mg (7555). ...when sodium phosphate is used rectally and appropriately, no more than once every 24 hours, short-term in children 2 years and older (104471). ...when used intravenously. Intravenous potassium phosphate is an FDA-approved prescription drug (15).

CHILDREN: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when phosphate (expressed as phosphorus) intake exceeds the tolerable upper intake level (UL) of 3 grams daily for children 1-8 years of age and 4 grams daily for children 9 years and older. Hyperphosphatemia, resulting in electrolyte disturbances, alterations in calcium homeostasis, and calcification of nonskeletal tissues, may occur (7555). ...when sodium phosphate is used rectally more frequently than once every 24 hours, or in children under 2 years of age or with Hirchsprung disease (112922). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns that these uses may increase the risk of hyperphosphatemia, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalances leading to kidney and heart damage (104471).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately at the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of 1250 mg daily for individuals 14-18 years of age and 700 mg daily for those over 18 years of age (7555). ...when sodium phosphate is used rectally and appropriately short-term (15). ...when used intravenously. Intravenous potassium phosphate is an FDA-approved prescription drug (15).

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: POSSIBLY UNSAFE
when phosphate (expressed as phosphorus) intake exceeds the tolerable upper intake level (UL). Hyperphosphatemia, resulting in electrolyte disturbances, alterations in calcium homeostasis, and calcification of nonskeletal tissues, may occur. The UL during pregnancy is 3.5 grams daily. During lactation, the UL is 4 grams daily (7555).

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ANTIDIABETES DRUGS Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Unlikely •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, blueberries or blueberry leaf extracts might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.  Details Animal and in vitro research suggests that blueberry and/or blueberry leaf extracts can lower blood glucose levels (909,36743,36759).

BUSPIRONE (BuSpar) Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Unlikely •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, blueberry juice might increase blood levels of buspirone.  Details In vitro research shows that blueberry juice can inhibit the metabolism of buspirone, possibly by inhibiting cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) enzymes. However, pharmacokinetic research in humans shows that drinking 300 mL of blueberry juice 30 minutes before taking buspirone hydrochloride 10 mg does not significantly affect the concentration or clearance of buspirone (92385).

FLURBIPROFEN (Ansaid, others) Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Mild •  Occurrence = Unlikely •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, blueberry juice might increase blood levels of flurbiprofen.  Details In vitro research shows that blueberry juice can inhibit the metabolism of flurbiprofen, possibly by inhibiting cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) enzymes. However, pharmacokinetic research in humans shows that drinking 300 mL of blueberry juice 30 minutes before taking flurbiprofen 100 mg does not significantly affect the concentration or clearance of flurbiprofen (92385).

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ALUMINUM Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Calcium citrate might increase aluminum absorption and toxicity. Other types of calcium do not increase aluminum absorption.  Details 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 (21631). 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 (93006).

BISPHOSPHONATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = C Calcium reduces the absorption of bisphosphonates.  Details 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 (12937).

CALCIPOTRIENE (Dovonex) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Taking calcipotriene with calcium might increase the risk for hypercalcemia.  Details Calcipotriene is a vitamin D analog used topically for psoriasis. It can be absorbed in sufficient amounts to cause systemic effects, including hypercalcemia (12938). Theoretically, combining calcipotriene with calcium supplements might increase the risk of hypercalcemia.

CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS Interaction Rating = Minor Be watchful with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Unlikely •  Level of Evidence = D Intravenous calcium may decrease the effects of calcium channel blockers; oral calcium is unlikely to have this effect.  Details 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 (6124). But there is no evidence that dietary or supplemental calcium when taken orally interacts with calcium channel blockers (12939,12947).

CEFTRIAXONE (Rocephin) Interaction Rating = Major Do not take this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D Co-administration of intravenous calcium and ceftriaxone can result in precipitation of a ceftriaxone-calcium salt in the lungs and kidneys.  Details 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 (15794,21632). So far there are no reports in adults; however, there is still concern that this interaction might occur in adults.

DIGOXIN (Lanoxin) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Using intravenous calcium with digoxin might increase the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias.  Details Hypercalcemia increases the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmias with digoxin (12940). However, one retrospective analysis of clinical data suggests that intravenous calcium does not increase the risk of dysrhythmias or mortality in patients receiving digoxin (38960).

DILTIAZEM (Cardizem, others) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, calcium may reduce the therapeutic effects of diltiazem.  Details Hypercalcemia can reduce the effectiveness of verapamil in atrial fibrillation (10574). Theoretically, calcium might increase this risk of hypercalcemia and reduce the effectiveness of diltiazem.

DOLUTEGRAVIR (Tivicay) Interaction Rating = Major Do not take this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = B Calcium seems to reduce levels of dolutegravir.  Details 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 (93578).

ELVITEGRAVIR (Vitekta) Interaction Rating = Major Do not take this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = B Calcium seems to reduce levels of elvitegravir.  Details 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 (94166).

LEVOTHYROXINE (Synthroid, others) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = B Calcium seems to reduce the absorption and effectiveness of levothyroxine.  Details Advise patients to take levothyroxine and calcium supplements at least 4 hours apart. Calcium reduces levothyroxine absorption, probably by forming insoluble complexes (5082). Calcium carbonate supplements reduce effectiveness of levothyroxine in patients with hypothyroidism (5081,5082,6137).

LITHIUM Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Theoretically, concomitant use of calcium and lithium may increase this risk of hypercalcemia.  Details Clinical research suggests that long-term use of lithium may cause hypercalcemia in 10% to 60% of patients (38953). Theoretically, concomitant use of lithium and calcium supplements may further increase this risk.

QUINOLONE ANTIBIOTICS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = B Calcium seems to reduce the absorption of quinolone antibiotics.  Details 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 (4412,10339,21638,38570).

RALTEGRAVIR (Isentress) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Calcium may reduce levels of raltegravir.  Details 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 (94164). 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 (94165).

SOTALOL (Betapace) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = B Calcium seems to reduce the absorption of sotalol.  Details 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 (10018).

TETRACYCLINE ANTIBIOTICS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = C Calcium seems to reduce the absorption of tetracycline antibiotics.  Details 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 (1843).

THIAZIDE DIURETICS Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = C Taking calcium along with thiazides might increase the risk of hypercalcemia and renal failure.  Details Thiazides reduce calcium excretion by the kidneys (1902). 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.

VERAPAMIL (Calan, others) Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, calcium may reduce the therapeutic effects of verapamil.  Details Hypercalcemia can reduce the effectiveness of verapamil in atrial fibrillation (10574). Theoretically, use of calcium supplements may increase this risk of hypercalcemia and reduce the effectiveness of verapamil.

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BISPHOSPHONATES Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, taking phosphate salts with bisphosphonates might increase the risk of hypocalcemia.  Details Combining bisphosphonates and phosphate can cause hypocalcemia. In one report, hypocalcemic tetany developed in a patient taking alendronate (Fosamax) who received a large dose of phosphate salts as a pre-operative laxative (14589).

ERDAFITINIB (Balversa) Interaction Rating = Major Do not take this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Probable •  Level of Evidence = A Taking erdafitinib with phosphate salts increases the risk of hyperphosphatemia.  Details Erdafitinib increases phosphate levels. It is recommended that patients taking erdafitinib restrict phosphate intake to no more than 600-800 mg daily (104470).

FUTIBATINIB (Lytgobi) Interaction Rating = Major Do not take this combination. Severity = High •  Occurrence = Likely •  Level of Evidence = A Taking futibatinib with phosphate salts increases the risk of hyperphosphatemia.  Details Futibatinib can cause hyperphosphatemia, as reported in 88% of patients in clinical studies. In addition, 77% of patients in clinical studies required use of a phosphate binder to manage hyperphosphatemia. Phosphate salts should generally be avoided by people taking this medication (112912).

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General ...Orally, blueberry is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting with freeze-dried blueberries.

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, freeze-dried blueberries may cause constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. In one clinical trial, 26% of patients taking freeze-dried blueberries 50 grams daily dropped out in the first week of the study due to gastrointestinal complaints (107278).

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General ...Orally and intravenously, calcium is well-tolerated when used appropriately.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Belching, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, and stomach upset.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Case reports have raised concerns about calciphylaxis and kidney stones.

Cardiovascular ...There has been concern that calcium intake may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and coronary heart disease (CHD), including myocardial infarction (MI). Some clinical research suggests that calcium intake, often in amounts over the recommended daily intake level of 1000-1300 mg daily for adults, is associated with an increased risk of CVD, CHD, and MI (16118,17482,91350,107233). However, these results, particularly meta-analyses, have been criticized for excluding trials in which calcium was administered with vitamin D (94137). Many of these trials also only included postmenopausal females. Other analyses report conflicting results, and have not shown that calcium intake affects the risk of CVD, CHD, or MI (92994,93533,97308,107231). Reasons for these discrepancies are not entirely clear. It may relate to whether calcium is taken as monotherapy or in combination with vitamin D. When taken with vitamin D, which is commonly recommended, calcium supplementation does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of CVD, CHD, or MI (93533,107231). Also, the association between calcium supplementation and CVD, CHD, or MI risk may be influenced by the amount of calcium consumed as part of the diet. Supplementation with calcium may be associated with an increased risk of MI in people with dietary calcium intake above 805 mg daily, but not in those with dietary calcium intake below 805 mg daily (17482). To minimize the possible risk of CVD, CHD, or MI, advise patients not to consume more than the recommended daily intake of 1000-1200 mg and to consider total calcium intake from both dietary and supplemental sources (17484). While dietary intake of calcium is preferred over supplemental intake, advise patients who require calcium supplements to take calcium along with vitamin D, as this combination does not appear to be associated with an increased risk of MI (93533).
Rarely, calcium intake can increase the risk of calciphylaxis, which usually occurs in patients with kidney failure. Calciphylaxis is the deposition of calcium phosphate in arterioles, which causes skin ulcers and skin necrosis. In a case report, a 64-year-old female with a history of neck fracture, sepsis, and ischemic colitis presented with painful leg ulcers due to calciphylaxis. She discontinued calcium and vitamin D supplementation and was treated with sodium thiosulfate and supportive care (95816).

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, calcium can cause belching, flatulence, nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and diarrhea (1824,1843,12950,38803). Although constipation is frequently cited as an adverse effect of calcium, there is no scientific substantiation of this side effect (1824,1843,1844,1845,12950,38978). Calcium carbonate has been reported to cause acid rebound, but this is controversial (12935,12936).

Oncologic ...There is some concern that very high doses of calcium might increase the risk of prostate cancer. Some epidemiological evidence suggests that consuming over 2000 mg/day of dietary calcium might increase the risk for prostate cancer (4825,12949). Additional research suggests that calcium intake over 1500 mg/day might increase the risk of advanced prostate cancer and prostate cancer mortality (14132). Consumption of dairy products has also been weakly linked to a small increase in prostate cancer risk (98894). However, contradictory research suggests no association between dietary intake of calcium and overall prostate cancer risk (14131,14132,104630). More evidence is needed to determine the effect of calcium, if any, on prostate cancer risk.

Renal ...Kidney stones have been reported in individuals taking calcium carbonate 1500 mg daily in combination with vitamin D 2000 IU daily for 4 years (93943).

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General ...Orally, intravenously, and rectally, phosphate salts are generally well tolerated when used appropriately and/or as prescribed.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Abdominal pain, anal irritation, bloating, diarrhea, headache, gastrointestinal irritation, hyperphosphatemia, hypocalcemia, malaise, nausea, sleep disturbance, and vomiting.
Rectally: Hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Extraskeletal calcification.

Cardiovascular ...Orally, a case of allergic acute coronary syndrome e., Kounis syndrome) is reported in a 43-year-old female after ingesting a specific sodium phosphate laxative product (Travad oral). She presented with maculopapular rash that progressed to anaphylaxis and a non-ST elevation acute coronary syndrome. The patient recovered after hospitalization for 3 days with medical management (112894).

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, phosphate salts can cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, anal irritation, and vomiting (15,2494,2495,2496,2497,93846,93848,93850,93851,93853,107008). Sodium and potassium phosphates can cause diarrhea (15). Aluminum phosphate can cause constipation (15). A large comparative study shows that, when taken orally as a bowel preparation for colonoscopy, sodium phosphate is associated with gastric mucosal lesions in about 4% of patients (93868).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, phosphate salts can commonly cause malaise (93846). Headaches and sleep disturbance may also occur (93848,93851).

Renal ...Orally, use of sodium phosphate for bowel cleansing has been associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury in some patients (93863). However, a pooled analysis of clinical research suggests that results are not consistent for all patients (93864). Some evidence suggests that female gender, probably due to lower body weight, iron-deficiency anemia, dehydration, and chronic kidney disease are all associated with an increased risk of sodium phosphate-induced kidney dysfunction (93865).

Other ...Orally, phosphate salts can cause fluid and electrolyte disturbances including hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia, and extraskeletal calcification. Potassium phosphates can cause hyperkalemia. Sodium phosphates can cause hypernatremia and hypokalemia (15,2494,2495,2496,2497,107008).
Rectally, phosphate salts can cause fluid and electrolyte disturbances including hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia (15,112922).
Deaths related to intake of oral or rectal phosphate salts are rare and most have occurred in infants and are related to overdose (93866). However, death has also been reported in elderly patients using sodium phosphate enemas, mainly at standard doses of 250 mL (93867).

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