Meta Information
ID:strontium
Name:
Schema Version:AIM-2.0
Interactions
Target id:
/class/calcium-rich-foods
Target name:
Calcium-Rich Foods (e.g., Dairy)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
4
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Strontium and calcium are chemically similar and compete for the same absorption pathways in the intestine, which drastically reduces the absorption of strontium.
Actionable advice:
Take strontium at least 4 hours apart from any calcium-containing foods, drinks, or supplements.
Target id:
/intervention/calcium-citrate
Target name:
Calcium Supplements
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
4
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Supplemental calcium directly competes with strontium for intestinal absorption, significantly lowering the amount of strontium that enters the bloodstream.
Actionable advice:
Separate strontium and calcium supplement doses by a minimum of 4 hours.
Target id:
/dietary/meal
Target name:
Any Caloric Meal
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Food in the stomach, especially meals containing minerals like calcium, significantly impairs the absorption of strontium from the gut.
Actionable advice:
Take strontium on a completely empty stomach, at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after eating.
Target id:
/class/antacids
Target name:
Antacids
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
4
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Antacids often contain high amounts of calcium, magnesium, or aluminum, which are multivalent cations that bind to strontium and prevent its absorption.
Actionable advice:
Do not take strontium within 4 hours of taking any antacid medication.
Target id:
/class/chelating-antibiotics
Target name:
Chelating Antibiotics (Tetracyclines, Quinolones)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
4
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Strontium can bind (chelate) to tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics in the gut, forming an insoluble complex that prevents the absorption of both the antibiotic and the strontium.
Actionable advice:
Separate strontium from tetracycline or quinolone antibiotics by at least 4 hours.
Target id:
/condition/renal-impairment
Target name:
Severe Renal Impairment
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Strontium is eliminated by the kidneys. In individuals with severely impaired kidney function (e.g., creatinine clearance <30 mL/min), strontium can accumulate to potentially toxic levels.
Actionable advice:
Avoid strontium completely if you have severe kidney disease.
Target id:
/condition/venous-thromboembolism
Target name:
History of Blood Clots (VTE)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Clinical trials with the prescription form, strontium ranelate, showed a small but significant increase in the risk of serious blood clots, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
Actionable advice:
Avoid strontium completely if you have a personal or strong family history of blood clots.
Target id:
/condition/cardiovascular-disease
Target name:
Established Cardiovascular Disease
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Studies with strontium ranelate showed an increased risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack) in patients with established cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or other major cardiovascular risk factors.
Actionable advice:
Avoid strontium if you have a history of heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Target id:
/condition/pregnancy
Target name:
Pregnancy
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
The safety of strontium during pregnancy is unknown; it can cross the placenta and may interfere with fetal bone development.
Actionable advice:
Avoid strontium completely during pregnancy.
Target id:
/condition/lactation
Target name:
Breastfeeding (Lactation)
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Strontium is excreted in breast milk, and its effects on a nursing infant's bone development are unknown and potentially harmful.
Actionable advice:
Avoid strontium completely while breastfeeding.
Target id:
/condition/pediatric
Target name:
Pediatric Use
Severity:
major
Interaction type:
adverse
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Strontium incorporates into developing bones and teeth, and its long-term effects on skeletal maturation and health in children and adolescents are unknown.
Actionable advice:
Do not give strontium to children or adolescents.
Target id:
/class/chelating-minerals
Target name:
Other Divalent Minerals (Mg, Zn, Fe)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
2
Hours after target:
2
Description:
Divalent minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron can compete with strontium for the same intestinal absorption channels, potentially reducing its bioavailability.
Actionable advice:
Separate strontium from magnesium, zinc, or iron supplements by at least 2 hours.
Target id:
/intervention/levothyroxine_systemic_disease
Target name:
Levothyroxine
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
4
Hours after target:
4
Description:
Similar to calcium, the strontium cation may bind to levothyroxine in the gut and reduce its absorption, potentially leading to decreased thyroid hormone efficacy.
Actionable advice:
Separate doses of strontium and levothyroxine by at least 4 hours.
Target id:
/intervention/bisphosphonates
Target name:
Bisphosphonates
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
diminishing
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
12
Hours after target:
12
Description:
Both strontium and bisphosphonates require administration on an empty stomach for absorption and can interfere with each other's uptake if taken too closely together.
Actionable advice:
If taking both, take them on alternate days or separated by at least 12 hours.
Target id:
/biomarker/bone-mineral-density
Target name:
Bone Mineral Density (DEXA Scan)
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
assay_interference
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
Strontium is a heavier element than calcium; its incorporation into bone artificially inflates bone mineral density (BMD) measurements on DEXA scans, overestimating bone strength.
Actionable advice:
Inform your doctor and the DEXA technician that you are taking strontium so results can be interpreted correctly.
Target id:
/circadian/sleep
Target name:
Going to Sleep
Severity:
moderate
Interaction type:
synergistic
Nature:
temporal
Temporal spacing:
Hours before target:
0.5
Hours after target:
null
Description:
Taking strontium at bedtime typically ensures the longest possible fasting window away from food and other minerals, which is required to maximize its absorption.
Actionable advice:
Take your daily dose of strontium at bedtime, at least 2 hours after your last meal or supplement.
Target id:
/biomarker/serum-calcium
Target name:
Serum Calcium Test
Severity:
minor
Interaction type:
assay_interference
Nature:
absolute
Temporal spacing:
null
Description:
High levels of strontium in the blood can interfere with certain colorimetric laboratory methods for measuring calcium, potentially causing a falsely elevated reading.
Actionable advice:
Inform your physician that you are taking strontium when they are interpreting your serum calcium lab results.