Harvoni and Multivitamin

[Nicola000]

Hi
I just received my calcium supplements for broken bones (due to a fall from neuropathy I have wriiten about in another topic)
I went online to check and found that it is not indicated to take with Harvoni. Fine, as I havent touched it.
I have however, taken a multi vitamin containing calcium for the last 7 days as I felt so bad. I saw online that it is contraindicated. Have I made a massive mistake here ?
I cannot ring my specialist again. There have been so many complications that I feel like a nuisance. I will ring the pharmacy tomorrow, but has anyone any thoughts about this ?
I am on day 45 of Harvoni, and only one week on multivitamins all taken 5 hours before my Harvoni dose.
I apologise for starting a new thread, but did so in the hope that others who come after me might be alerted to this mistake, if indeed it is one.
Thanks
Nicola

[Lynn K]

Hello Nicola

Could you provide a reference where you are seeing you cannot take a calcium supplement with Harvoni? I have not seen that in the Harvoni prescribing information sheet.

https://www.gilead.com/~/media/Files/pdfs/medicines/liver-disease/harvoni/harvoni_pi.pdf

Page 9 Table 4 lists Potentially Significant Drug Interactions: Alteration in Dose or Regimen May Be Recommended Based on Drug Interaction Studies or Predicted Interaction I don't see anything about calcium vitamins.

I looked at drugs.com trying a Calcium 600+D Plus minerals the result was:

Interactions between your selected drugs

No results found - however, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

https://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=1665-16414,3567-16903

The primary concern as I am aware is with antacids and acid reducing medicines and chemically speaking we are concerned about the negatively charged ion carbonate in calcium carbonate (CaCO3) so the carbonate ion will react with the positively charged ion "H" in the HCl (hydrochloric acid). The "H" when it combines with the CO3 will react to lower stomach acid content which with Harvoni is to be avoided for better absorption of the Ledipasvir component of Harvoni as it requires an acid environment for better absorption in the blood stream.

One thing you could do is if you are worried about this is to take your calcium supplement according to the recommendations for antacids and Harvoni that is no closer than 4 hours before you take Harvoni or 4 hours after you have taken your dose if you have concerns about acid reducing potential of Calcium vitamins.

Also as I am not a medical professional you can also contact the Harvoni Onward for answers to any questions you have about how to take Harvoni you have to sign up but they have live one on one support available.

https://www.harvoni.com/discover-harvoni/sign-up

"Move one step closer

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Hope this helps

Lynn