NutriStack
Calcium and Prednisone, a synergy.
Prednisone and other corticosteroids significantly deplete calcium through multiple mechanisms, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Calcium supplementation is considered standard of care for patients on chronic corticosteroid therapy.
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 Prednisone
- 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. Prednisone and other corticosteroids significantly deplete calcium through multiple mechanisms, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Calcium supplementation is considered standard of care for patients on chronic corticosteroid therapy.
Mechanism. Prednisone reduces intestinal calcium absorption, increases renal calcium excretion, inhibits osteoblast function, and stimulates osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. It also reduces calcium-binding protein (calbindin) expression in the intestine. Supplemental calcium helps offset these multiple depletive mechanisms.
Recommendation. Take calcium (1000-1200mg/day in divided doses) with vitamin D while on chronic prednisone therapy. This is a guideline-recommended practice for preventing corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. Use calcium citrate for better absorption.
Sources (3)
- Buckley LM et al. Calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation prevents bone loss in the spine secondary to low-dose corticosteroids. Ann Intern Med. 1996;125(12):961-968. PMID 8967706
- 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 Prednisone 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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