Drug Information
Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods
Types of interactions:BeneficialAdverseCheck
Replenish Depleted Nutrients
- Calcium
Most of an inhaled dose of beclomethasone is actually swallowed, which may lead to reduced absorption of calcium. Health practitioners may recommend calcium supplementation to individuals using beclomethasone inhalers.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
- Magnesium
Therapeutic amounts of intravenous salbutamol (albuterol) in four healthy people were associated with decreased plasma levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium. Decreased potassium levels have been reported with oral, intramuscular, and subcutaneous albuterol administration. How frequently this effect occurs is not known; whether these changes are preventable through diet or supplementation is also unknown.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Therapeutic amounts of intravenous salbutamol (albuterol) in four healthy people were associated with decreased plasma levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium. Decreased potassium levels have been reported with intramuscular and subcutaneous albuterol administration. How frequently this effect occurs is not known; whether these changes are preventable through diet or supplementation is also unknown.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
- Potassium
Therapeutic amounts of intravenous salbutamol (albuterol) in four healthy people were associated with decreased plasma levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphate, and potassium. Decreased potassium levels have been reported with oral, intramuscular, and subcutaneous albuterol administration. How frequently this effect occurs is not known; whether these changes are preventable through diet or supplementation is also unknown.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Support Medicine
- Licorice
When applied to the skin, glycyrrhetinic acid (a chemical found in licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)) increases the activity of hydrocortisone. This effect might allow for less hydrocortisone to be used when combined with glycyrrhetinic acid, but further study is needed to test this possibility. This interaction applies only to dermatological forms of this drug.
Children with alopecia areata who supplemented 100 mg of zinc and 20 mg biotin each day, combined with topical clobetasol, showed more improvement compared to children who took oral corticosteroid drugs. Controlled research is needed to determine whether adding oral zinc and biotin to topical clobetasol therapy is more effective than clobetasol alone. However, until more information is available, caregivers should consider that children with alopecia who are currently taking oral corticosteroids might benefit from switching to supplements of zinc and biotin along with topical clobetasol.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Potential Negative Interaction
Explanation Required
- Aloe
In animal research, applying aloe (Aloe vera) gel topically along with a topical corticosteroid enhanced the hormone’s anti-inflammatory activity in the skin. No human research has investigated this effect.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
Digitalis (Digitalis lanata, Digitalis purpurea) refers to a family of plants (commonly called foxglove) that contain digitalis glycosides, chemicals with actions and toxicities similar to the prescription drug digoxin.
In a small study of salbutamol (albuterol) in people receiving digoxin, albuterol was associated with decreased serum digoxin levels. No interactions between albuterol and digitalis have been reported. Until more is known, albuterol and digitalis-containing products should be used only under the direct supervision of a doctor trained in their use.
The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.
