Do vitamin D supplements interact with any medications?

Vitamin D supplements have the potential for interactions with certain medications. Some examples of medications are included below. Since the following is not a comprehensive list, it is important to discuss vitamin D supplementation with your healthcare provider when taking any prescription medications.^[1]

Orlistat (also known as Xenical and Alli). These weight loss drugs may reduce vitamin D absorption from the diet and supplements.^[2]

Statins. Statin drugs reduce cholesterol synthesis in the body. High levels of vitamin D supplementation can potentially reduce the cholesterol-lowering ability of statin drugs by binding to and competing with a common statin-binding enzyme.^[3]

Corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone. Corticosteroids reduce vitamin D metabolism, and vitamin D deficiencies were reported to occur with 2x higher frequency in people taking oral corticosteroids compared to non-users.^[4]

Thiazide diuretics. Diuretics are drugs that promote water loss in the body. Because thiazides decrease calcium loss through urine, and vitamin D increases calcium absorption, taking vitamin D supplements alongside thiazides can potentially lead to dangerously high calcium levels (hypercalcemia).^[5][6]