Many people believe that magnesium must be combined with calcium. However, magnesium does not directly affect calcium absorption and official guidelines do not recommend the combination. Nevertheless, people who experience constipation from calcium may find the laxative effect of magnesium to be beneficial. Excessive consumption of caffeine or alcohol, as well as smoking, may decrease calcium absorption. Additionally, these consumer groups may have poorer nutritional habits that predispose them to bone disorders.
Calcium supplements can interact with many medications.
Be sure your customers understand the importance of having all OTC medications added to their pharmacy profile. Since concurrent use of calcium and iron decreases the absorption of the iron, iron supplements should not be taken within one to two hours of calcium. However, when iron and calcium carbonate are present in multivitamin-mineral formulations, the absorption of iron is not significantly changed because the ascorbic acid in the formulation maintains the iron in the ferrous state, thus increasing its solubility and absorption. Corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis is a growing concern. The American College of Rheumatology recommends that all patients on long-term, oral corticosteroids take 1,500 mg calcium daily.