Supplement·Interactions·Reviewed June 9, 2026
Iron interactions.
Iron has 95 documented interactions in the NutriStack database: 6 to avoid or watch closely, 74 that need timing or caution, and 15 that work synergistically. The full list, with what each pairing does, is below.
In short
Iron at a glance.
A quick, data-grounded summary. The full table is below.
Iron has 95 documented interactions in the NutriStack database: 6 to avoid or watch closely, 74 that need timing or caution, and 15 that work synergistically. The full list, with what each pairing does, is below.
Interactions
Everything that interacts with iron.
Every supplement and medication in the NutriStack database with a documented interaction with this substance, highest-severity first. Open any pair for the mechanism and sources.
| Substance | Interaction | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Conflict | Calcium significantly inhibits both heme and non-heme iron absorption when taken simultaneously. details → |
| Elderberry Zinc Lozenges | Conflict | Iron and elderberry zinc lozenges compete for the same absorption pathways when taken together in supplement form. |
| Green Tea Extract | Conflict | Green tea catechins, particularly EGCG, bind non-heme iron in the gut, reducing absorption by up to 60-70%. This is one of the most potent dietary... details → |
| Zinc | Conflict | Iron and zinc compete for the same absorption pathways when taken together in supplement form. details → |
| Zinc Carnosine | Conflict | Iron and zinc carnosine compete for the same absorption pathways when taken together in supplement form. |
| Zinc Picolinate | Conflict | Iron and zinc picolinate compete for the same absorption pathways when taken together in supplement form. |
| Allopurinol | Caution | The interaction between allopurinol and iron is primarily theoretical. In animal studies, allopurinol increased hepatic iron storage by inhibiting... |
| Alpha-Lipoic Acid | Caution | ALA chelates metals including iron. May reduce iron absorption or redistribute iron stores. |
| Artemisinin | Caution | Iron supplementation may modulate artemisinin activity, because artemisinin relies on iron to generate its cytotoxic free radicals and iron status... |
| Cimetidine | Caution | Cimetidine reduces gastric acid and modestly impairs absorption of oral iron salts, particularly ferrous sulfate. The H2 blocker class is associated... details → |
| Copper | Caution | Copper is required to mobilize iron for red blood cell production, while prolonged high-dose iron can suppress copper absorption, so imbalance in... details → |
| Esomeprazole | Caution | Esomeprazole reduces absorption of oral iron, particularly non-heme iron salts like ferrous sulfate that require gastric acid for solubilization. In... details → |
| Famotidine | Caution | Famotidine can reduce absorption of oral iron, especially non-heme iron salts that require gastric acid. In the Kaiser study, two or more years of... details → |
| GHK-Cu (Copper Peptide) | Caution | Iron deficiency can drive hair and skin complaints that cosmetic GHK-Cu will not correct. |
| Lactoferrin | Caution | Lactoferrin binds iron and may influence iron absorption or handling; extra iron is inappropriate in iron overload. |
| Lansoprazole | Caution | Lansoprazole reduces absorption of non-heme iron salts that require gastric acid for dissolution. The Kaiser study of 77,000 iron-deficiency cases... details → |
| Molybdenum | Caution | Molybdenum and iron sit on opposite ends of a shared copper-mediated pathway. In classic nutrition literature (largely ruminant and animal work,... |
| Omeprazole | Caution | Omeprazole reduces gastric acid production, which is essential for converting dietary and supplemental iron to its absorbable ferrous (Fe2+) form.... details → |
| Pantoprazole | Caution | Pantoprazole suppresses gastric acid, reducing the acidic environment needed for efficient iron absorption. Long-term use can impair iron status,... details → |
| Perindopril | Caution | ACE inhibitors are associated with a dry cough thought to involve bradykinin and substance P accumulation. Small studies suggest oral or intravenous... |
| Rabeprazole | Caution | Rabeprazole can reduce non-heme iron absorption, making oral iron response less reliable. |
| Shilajit | Caution | Shilajit's fulvic acid enhances mineral absorption and shilajit itself supplies some iron, so combining it with an iron supplement can push iron... |
| Valganciclovir | Caution | Valganciclovir (the oral prodrug of ganciclovir) commonly causes dose-limiting myelosuppression, including anemia. People taking it may be tempted... |
| Activated Charcoal | Timing Sensitive | Activated charcoal can adsorb orally ingested iron in the gut, reducing the amount of iron available for absorption when the two are taken together. |
| Alendronate | Timing Sensitive | Iron chelates alendronate in the GI tract, substantially reducing the already-poor oral absorption of this bisphosphonate. Given alendronate's... details → |
| Anthocyanins (Bilberry Extract) | Timing Sensitive | Polyphenols including anthocyanins and other flavonoids can chelate non-heme iron in the gut and reduce its absorption when consumed together. |
| Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate | Timing Sensitive | The calcium delivered by Ca-AKG can inhibit absorption of non-heme iron when taken together, an effect well documented for calcium supplements... |
| Calcium Carbonate | Timing Sensitive | Calcium carbonate can reduce iron absorption when taken at the same time. Human studies show calcium can inhibit both heme and non-heme iron... details → |
| Captopril | Timing Sensitive | Oral iron salts can react with captopril, which contains a free sulfhydryl (thiol) group, forming a complex that reduces captopril absorption and... |
| Cefdinir | Timing Sensitive | Iron can reduce oral Cefdinir absorption when taken together. |
| Cefixime | Timing Sensitive | Oral iron salts can reduce the absorption of cefixime by forming poorly soluble chelates in the gastrointestinal tract, potentially lowering... |
| Cefpodoxime | Timing Sensitive | Oral iron supplements may reduce the absorption of cefpodoxime. Beyond simple chelation, cefpodoxime proxetil requires an acidic gastric environment... |
| Cefuroxime | Timing Sensitive | Oral iron salts can form insoluble chelates with cephalosporin antibiotics and may also raise gastric pH, both of which can reduce the absorption... |
| Cholestyramine | Timing Sensitive | Cholestyramine can bind oral iron in the gastrointestinal tract and reduce its absorption when taken concurrently, potentially diminishing the... |
| Ciprofloxacin | Timing Sensitive | Iron strongly chelates ciprofloxacin, forming insoluble iron-quinolone complexes that dramatically reduce ciprofloxacin absorption and efficacy.... details → |
| Colostrum | Timing Sensitive | Lactoferrin and other milk proteins from colostrum interact with supplemental iron in the digestive tract. Rather than simply stacking, these... |
| Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL) | Timing Sensitive | DGL chewables and powders may reduce reliable iron absorption if taken together before meals. |
| Doxycycline | Timing Sensitive | Iron forms chelation complexes with doxycycline that significantly impair antibiotic absorption. Studies show iron can reduce tetracycline... details → |
| EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) | Timing Sensitive | Green tea catechins such as EGCG bind non-heme iron in the gut and form poorly absorbed complexes, reducing iron absorption. This is most relevant... |
| Elderberry | Timing Sensitive | Taking elderberry at the same time as a non-heme iron supplement can blunt iron uptake because elderberry polyphenols bind iron in the gut. The... |
| Ellagic Acid | Timing Sensitive | Ellagic acid and the ellagitannins in pomegranate/berry extracts are polyphenols and tannins that chelate non-heme iron in the gut lumen, which can... |
| Fenugreek | Timing Sensitive | Fenugreek's high soluble fiber and polyphenol content can bind non-heme iron in the gut and reduce its absorption when taken together. |
| Fosfomycin | Timing Sensitive | Oral iron salts are polyvalent cations known to chelate many antibiotics in the gut. Iron can plausibly bind fosfomycin and reduce its absorption,... |
| Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) | Timing Sensitive | Fiber can delay or reduce mineral supplement absorption when taken simultaneously. |
| Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) | Timing Sensitive | Fiber and oligosaccharides may reduce predictable iron supplement absorption when taken together. |
| Grape Seed Extract | Timing Sensitive | Taken at the same time as an iron supplement, grape seed extract can bind iron in the digestive tract and reduce how much is absorbed. The effect is... |
| Hesperidin | Timing Sensitive | Citrus flavonoids such as hesperidin can chelate non-heme iron and may modestly affect its absorption when taken in the same meal. |
| Ibandronate | Timing Sensitive | Iron supplements can chelate ibandronate and reduce absorption. |
| Inulin | Timing Sensitive | High-fiber doses may reduce or delay mineral supplement absorption when taken together. |
| Itraconazole | Timing Sensitive | Oral iron salts are best absorbed in an acidic environment and are sometimes taken with antacids or co-administered with acid-reducing agents; more... |
| Lactobacillus Rhamnosus | Timing Sensitive | Iron supplements can disrupt gut microbiome composition. However, certain probiotic strains may actually enhance iron absorption. |
| Levodopa/Carbidopa | Timing Sensitive | Iron chelates levodopa in the GI tract, forming insoluble complexes that significantly reduce levodopa absorption. This can worsen Parkinson's... details → |
| Levofloxacin | Timing Sensitive | Iron supplements bind levofloxacin in the gut, forming insoluble chelate complexes that dramatically reduce antibiotic absorption. Bioavailability... details → |
| Levothyroxine | Timing Sensitive | Iron supplements form an insoluble complex with levothyroxine in the GI tract, reducing thyroid hormone absorption by up to 75% in some studies.... details → |
| Lisinopril | Timing Sensitive | Iron supplements may modestly reduce the absorption of ACE inhibitors when taken simultaneously. While the interaction is minor compared to other... |
| Magnesium Citrate | Timing Sensitive | Magnesium and iron can compete for absorption when taken together. Separate for optimal absorption of both. |
| Magnesium Glycinate | Timing Sensitive | Magnesium and iron can compete for absorption when taken together. Separate for optimal absorption of both. |
| Magnesium L-Threonate | Timing Sensitive | Magnesium and iron can compete for absorption when taken together. Separate for optimal absorption of both. |
| Magnesium Malate | Timing Sensitive | Magnesium and iron can compete for absorption when taken together. Separate for optimal absorption of both. |
| Magnesium Taurate | Timing Sensitive | Magnesium and iron can compete for absorption when taken together. Separate for optimal absorption of both. |
| Manganese | Timing Sensitive | Iron and manganese compete for shared intestinal absorption pathways, so high-dose iron can reduce manganese uptake, and conversely high manganese... details → |
| Marshmallow Root | Timing Sensitive | Marshmallow root mucilage can reduce reliable iron absorption when taken together. |
| Minocycline | Timing Sensitive | Iron can reduce oral Minocycline absorption when taken together. |
| Moxifloxacin | Timing Sensitive | Iron can reduce oral Moxifloxacin absorption when taken together. |
| Nystatin | Timing Sensitive | Nystatin oral suspension is frequently dosed to coat the oral mucosa, and patients are advised to avoid food and drink shortly after dosing so the... |
| Oligonol (Lychee Polyphenol) | Timing Sensitive | Like other proanthocyanidin-rich polyphenols, Oligonol can bind non-heme iron in the gut and reduce its absorption when taken at the same time,... |
| Partially Hydrolyzed Guar Gum (Sunfiber) | Timing Sensitive | Soluble fiber can reduce or delay mineral supplement absorption when taken at the same time. |
| Probiotics | Timing Sensitive | Iron supplements can disrupt gut microbiome composition. However, certain probiotic strains may actually enhance iron absorption. |
| Psyllium Husk | Timing Sensitive | Psyllium soluble fiber forms a viscous gel in the gut that can bind iron and slow its absorption, lowering the effective dose absorbed when taken... details → |
| Quinapril | Timing Sensitive | Oral iron salts can chelate ACE inhibitors in the gastrointestinal tract, and quinapril's magnesium carbonate formulation may also reduce iron... |
| Risedronate | Timing Sensitive | Iron (Fe2+/Fe3+) forms tight, non-absorbable complexes with risedronate's phosphonate groups in the gut, blocking its already poor oral absorption.... details → |
| Rutin | Timing Sensitive | Rutin is a polyphenol that can chelate non-heme iron and form poorly absorbed complexes in the gut, potentially reducing the absorption of an iron... |
| Saccharomyces Boulardii | Timing Sensitive | Iron supplements can disrupt gut microbiome composition. However, certain probiotic strains may actually enhance iron absorption. |
| Slippery Elm | Timing Sensitive | Slippery elm mucilage can reduce reliable iron absorption if taken together. |
| Soy Isoflavones | Timing Sensitive | Soy foods and phytates can reduce non-heme iron absorption when taken together with iron supplements. |
| Strontium | Timing Sensitive | Taking strontium and an oral iron supplement at the same time can lower how much of each you actually absorb. This mirrors the well-documented... |
| Sucralfate | Timing Sensitive | Sucralfate can bind iron in the gut and may reduce iron absorption or the absorption of other oral medications taken with iron. |
| Tangeretin | Timing Sensitive | As a polyphenolic flavone, tangeretin can complex with non-heme iron in the gut and may modestly reduce its absorption when taken in the same meal. |
| Tetracycline | Timing Sensitive | Iron can reduce oral Tetracycline absorption when taken together. |
| Whey Protein | Timing Sensitive | Dairy calcium and some protein matrices can reduce non-heme iron absorption when taken together. |
| Ashwagandha | Synergy | Ashwagandha root contains natural iron and has been shown to support healthy iron levels and hemoglobin formation in traditional use. |
| Beta-Carotene | Synergy | Beta-carotene can enhance the absorption of nonheme (plant-form) iron when the two are taken together with food. Human absorption studies using... |
| Betaine HCL | Synergy | Betaine HCL lowers stomach pH, which can improve the solubility and absorption of non-heme iron, particularly in people with low stomach acid. |
| Chlorella | Synergy | Chlorella behaves as a mild plant iron source, so pairing it with an iron supplement is mostly synergistic for correcting deficiency, but it also... |
| Iodine | Synergy | Iron deficiency impairs thyroid hormone synthesis because thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is a heme-containing enzyme. |
| L-Lysine | Synergy | Adding L-lysine alongside iron has been associated with improved ferritin levels in some iron-deficient individuals who do not fully respond to iron... |
| L-Tyrosine | Synergy | Iron is a cofactor for tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in dopamine synthesis. |
| Lactobacillus plantarum 299v | Synergy | L. plantarum 299v may improve absorption of non-heme iron from some fortified foods. |
| Methylcobalamin | Synergy | Both iron and B12 are essential for red blood cell production. Deficiency in either causes anemia. |
| Moringa | Synergy | Moringa leaf is a meaningful source of bioavailable iron and vitamin C and is used to help correct iron deficiency anemia, complementing iron... |
| Vitamin A | Synergy | Vitamin A improves iron mobilization from stores and enhances erythropoiesis. Combined supplementation is more effective than either alone for anemia. |
| Vitamin B12 | Synergy | Both iron and B12 are essential for red blood cell production. Deficiency in either causes anemia. |
| Vitamin B2 | Synergy | Riboflavin supports mobilization of stored iron and red blood cell production, so correcting riboflavin status can improve the hematologic response... |
| Vitamin C | Synergy | Vitamin C dramatically increases non-heme iron absorption by reducing ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+) and forming a soluble chelate. details → |
| Vitamin C Liposomal | Synergy | Vitamin C Liposomal dramatically increases non-heme iron absorption by reducing ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+) and forming a soluble... details → |
Go deeper
The full iron profile.
Benefits, dosing by goal, forms, and the cited evidence for this supplement.
FAQ
Common iron questions.
Quick answers drawn from the table above.
What interacts with Iron?
In the NutriStack database, Iron has 95 documented interactions with other supplements and medications. The most notable include Calcium, Elderberry Zinc Lozenges, Green Tea Extract, Zinc, and Zinc Carnosine.
What should you not take with Iron?
Iron is flagged against 6 substances in the database, including Calcium, Elderberry Zinc Lozenges, Green Tea Extract, Zinc, Zinc Carnosine, and Zinc Picolinate. Review these with a clinician before combining, especially alongside prescription medications.
What works well with Iron?
Iron pairs synergistically with Ashwagandha, Beta-Carotene, Betaine HCL, Chlorella, and Iodine in the NutriStack database. Synergy still depends on dose and timing; open any pair for the detail.
Can you take Iron with Calcium?
NutriStack classifies the Iron and Calcium pairing as conflict: Calcium significantly inhibits both heme and non-heme iron absorption when taken simultaneously. Separate iron and calcium by at least 2 hours. Take iron in the morning on an empty stomach, calcium with a different meal.
Check your whole stack
See how iron fits your routine.
NutriStack screens your full stack for interactions and timing conflicts, and updates the moment you change it.