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SupplementScience

Strontium Side Effects & Safety

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. 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. (). The effects of strontium ranelate on the risk of vertebral fracture in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. New England Journal of Medicine. DOI
  2. (). Strontium ranelate reduces the risk of nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis: Treatment of Peripheral Osteoporosis (TROPOS) study. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. DOI
  3. (). Maintenance of antifracture efficacy over 10 years with strontium ranelate in postmenopausal osteoporosis. Osteoporosis International. DOI