Calcium supplements and Bipolar meds - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

hopetofeelwell1 · 06-30-2009, 01:09 PM

Hi all--I have been taking Calcium with Vitamin D for about 5 weeks now and would like to find out if the supplements interfere with Lithium, Risperdal, or Paroxetine. I know it's my imagination, but I swear I feel different after I take the calcium. Thanks so much--Hopeto--

tigger5150 · 07-01-2009, 01:53 AM

I would suggest googling the individual drugs and looking at the product information for each one as it should tell you what will interfere with it and what shouldn't be taken together. Otherwise, I would simply call your pdoc and ask (or ask at your next appt if it isin't that far off)

Bunnylover · 07-01-2009, 09:27 AM

You can also check with your pharmacist, they should know.

hopetofeelwell1 · 07-01-2009, 02:55 PM

Hi Tigger & BunnyLover! I did what you said today. I googled each drug and I found that Lithium can interfere with your calcium levels among other levels such as magnesium, sodium, etc. and I spoke with the pharmacist and they flat out said no---not a problem, so it's like who do you believe? I will once again do trial and error and see what agrees with me. I drink a tea called Rooibos(red bush) tea that has no caffeine and the druggist said not to drink it because it will interact with the meds. Great! I gave up caffeine 10 years ago and struggled to find something I could enjoy. I finally found it and they still want to take it away from me. I figured if there's no caffeine, no problem. I think some of the druggists are limited to what they know, although a lot of them know more than the doctors when it comes to drugs. I will discuss this at my next psych visit. Thanks so much--Hopeto--

Bunnylover · 07-01-2009, 03:09 PM

Could you substitute another herbal tea (check with your doctor first--I think it's ginseng that I can't have, and st. john's wort is also problematic)? Or are decaf teas an option (my drink of choice most days)?