NutriStack
Calcium and Dexamethasone, a synergy.
Dexamethasone is the most potent oral glucocorticoid. Even short courses significantly impact calcium balance. Supplementation helps preserve bone health.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Calcium and Dexamethasone
- Pair type
- Synergy
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Strong
- Source citations
- 3 sources
- Stack Score effect
- +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Synergy · Strong evidence
Synergy
What is happening. Dexamethasone is the most potent oral glucocorticoid. Even short courses significantly impact calcium balance. Supplementation helps preserve bone health.
Mechanism. Dexamethasone has 25x the glucocorticoid potency of cortisol. It potently suppresses osteoblast function and calcium absorption.
Recommendation. Calcium 1000-1200mg/day + Vitamin D 1000-2000 IU/day during any glucocorticoid course >2 weeks.
Sources (3)
- Buckley L et al. ACR guideline for glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis. Arthritis Care Res. 2017;69(8):1095-1110. PMID 28585410
- Liu C, Kuang X, Li K, Guo X, Deng Q, Li D. Effects of combined calcium and vitamin D supplementation on osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Food & Function. 2020. PMID 33237064
- Yao P, Bennett D, Mafham M et al.. Vitamin D and Calcium for the Prevention of Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Network Open. 2019. PMID 31860103
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Calcium and Dexamethasone are in the same stack, this pair applies +2 to your Stack Score (per scored synergy row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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