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Strontium Side Effects & Safety

Evidence:Moderate
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Safe with Caution

Potential Side Effects

  • Nausea and diarrhea (most common)
  • Headache
  • Artificially elevates DEXA bone density readings — strontium is heavier than calcium and inflates measurements by an estimated 10%
  • Strontium ranelate (prescription) was associated with increased cardiovascular events (VTE, MI) in post-marketing surveillance — led to restrictions in Europe
  • Theoretical cardiovascular concerns may apply to citrate form, though data is lacking

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • Calcium — competes directly with strontium for absorption; never take together; separate by 2+ hours
  • Tetracycline and quinolone antibiotics — strontium may reduce their absorption
  • Food (especially dairy) reduces strontium absorption — take on empty stomach
  • Aluminum and magnesium antacids may reduce strontium absorption

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: No established UL for strontium; 680mg citrate daily is the commonly used OTC dose

Full Strontium Guide

References

  1. RCTMeunier PJ, Roux C, Seeman E, et al. (2004). The effects of strontium ranelate on the risk of vertebral fracture in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI PubMed
  2. Reginster JY, Kaufman JM, Goemaere S, et al. (2012). Maintenance of antifracture efficacy over 10 years with strontium ranelate in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporosis International. DOI PubMed
  3. Yan MD, Ou YJ, Lin YJ, Liu RM, et al. (2022). Does the incorporation of strontium into calcium phosphate improve bone repair? A meta-analysis.. BMC oral health. DOI PubMed
  4. Hu Z, Tian Y, Li W, Ruan Y, et al. (2020). The efficacy and safety of zoledronic acid and strontium-89 in treating non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer. DOI PubMed
  5. Penrose B, Beresford NA, Broadley MR, Crout NMJ (2015). Inter-varietal variation in caesium and strontium uptake by plants: a meta-analysis.. Journal of environmental radioactivity. DOI PubMed
  6. Meta-analysisKanis JA, Johansson H, Oden A, McCloskey EV (2011). A meta-analysis of the effect of strontium ranelate on the risk of vertebral and non-vertebral fracture in postmenopausal osteoporosis and the interaction with FRAX(®).. Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA. DOI PubMed
  7. RCTBruyère O, Collette J, Rizzoli R, Decock C, et al. (2010). Relationship between 3-month changes in biochemical markers of bone remodelling and changes in bone mineral density and fracture incidence in patients treated with strontium ranelate for 3 years.. Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA. DOI PubMed
Show 3 more references
  1. ObservationalRabenda V, Reginster JY (2010). Positive impact of compliance to strontium ranelate on the risk of nonvertebral osteoporotic fractures.. Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA. DOI PubMed
  2. Collette J, Bruyère O, Kaufman JM, Lorenc R, et al. (2010). Vertebral anti-fracture efficacy of strontium ranelate according to pre-treatment bone turnover.. Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA. DOI PubMed
  3. Meta-analysisO'Donnell S, Cranney A, Wells GA, Adachi JD, et al. (2006). Strontium ranelate for preventing and treating postmenopausal osteoporosis.. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. DOI PubMed