In this article, we will discuss 9+ supplements to avoid while taking prednisone and the potential risks associated with these interactions.

Prednisone is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat a variety of conditions, including inflammatory disorders, autoimmune diseases, and allergies. While prednisone can be highly effective in managing these conditions, it can also interact negatively with certain supplements.

When I was taking prednisone, I suffered tons of side effects.

Family and friends would offer advice, and that often meant they suggested to “take this [supplement] to help.”

I was terrified to take anything else while I was taking prednisone.

I didn’t know why my body was having this weird autoimmune condition and didn’t want to add anything to make it worse.

Plus as a board-certified doctor of pharmacy, I knew too much about the dietary supplement industry.

Many dietary supplements aren’t what they seem. They might either have wayyyy too much of what they say they have, or have none.

Plus many supplements contain contaminants like prescription drugs that are secretly hidden in there.

It’s so hard to trust many dietary supplements.

Also, I knew all about drug-herb interactions.

Many herbs interact with drugs and some of these are well-documented.

But many drug-herb interactions have never been tested or discovered.

I didn’t want to do anything to mess with prednisone’s ability to do its job saving my life from my autoimmune condition.

So I avoided supplements completely while I was taking prednisone.

I later discovered that I was wrong–avoiding all supplements is the wrong approach. Some are fine with prednisone. (In fact, a few are necessary.)

But there are 9+ supplements you need to avoid while on prednisone.

Check out my new video that includes the top 9+ supplements that could really mess things up for you while taking prednisone.

Watch now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Diy4TW97TRE

9+ Supplements to Avoid While on Prednisone

Aluminum hydroxide

Aluminum hydroxide is commonly found in antacids and can interfere with the absorption of prednisone in the body.

It is recommended to avoid taking aluminum hydroxide supplements while on prednisone to ensure the medication remains effective.

Aluminum hydroxide blocks the absorption of prednisone. Up to 40% of the prednisone is bound up into this aluminum hydroxide complex, and it’s not going to be absorbed.

If you were normally taking 10 milligrams and take aluminum hydroxide with it, it’s as if you’re only taking six milligrams. You want to get exactly the amount of prednisone you’re taking.

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is a popular herbal supplement used to treat depression and anxiety. However, it can interact with prednisone and decrease its effectiveness.

If you are taking prednisone, it is best to avoid St. John’s Wort to prevent any negative interactions.

St. John’s Wort is broken down by the Cytochrome P450 in your liver which will block the breakdown of prednisone.

Licorice

Licorice contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which can lead to increased levels of corticosteroids in the body when taken with prednisone.

This can result in a higher risk of side effects and complications. It is advisable to avoid licorice supplements while on prednisone.

Licorice and other adaptogens will directly counteract the prednisone.

While you take prednisone, you have effectively turned off your ability to use your adrenals to make cortisol and other steroids.

You don’t worry about it until you are way below 2.5 milligrams of prednisone or lower before you even consider thinking of taking a licorice.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a nutrient-rich herb that is often taken as a supplement for its health benefits.

However, alfalfa can decrease the effectiveness of prednisone and should be avoided while taking the medication to ensure proper treatment.

People might use this because prednisone causes high cholesterol or other issues with the metabolism, but this is causing a drug interaction.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is commonly used for detoxification purposes and can interfere with the absorption of medications, including prednisone.

It is recommended to avoid taking activated charcoal supplements while on prednisone to prevent any potential interactions.

Charcoal cleansing is not advisable while on prednisone because the charcoal is like a sponge and it will just suck up the prednisone and then that’s gonna cause adrenal insufficiency.

Lily Of The Valley

Lily-of-the-Valley is a plant that contains cardiac glycosides, which can have toxic effects when combined with prednisone.

It is best to avoid lily-of-the-valley supplements while on prednisone to prevent any adverse reactions.

Buckthorn

Buckthorn is an herbal supplement that is often used as a laxative. However, it can lead to decreased potassium levels in the body when taken with prednisone, which can be dangerous.

You might get extremely low electrolytes like potassium, and that would really not be good for your body.

It is recommended to avoid buckthorn supplements while on prednisone to prevent any complications.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit either a supplement or a fruit can interfere with the metabolism of prednisone in the body.

This can to increased levels of the medication and potentially causes side effects.

Grapefruit has the ability to block the enzyme that breaks down prednisone.

It is best to avoid consuming grapefruit products while on prednisone to ensure the medication works effectively.

Ashwagandha: Can I take Ashwagandha with Prednisone?

Ashwagandha may stimulate your immune system. Prednisone is often used for its ability to suppress the immune system. So if that’s why your doctor is prescribing prednisone, for an autoimmune condition, then ashwagandha may be fighting against prednisone. It’s probably best to avoid this combination.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that is used to reduce stress and support the immune system.

However, it can stimulate the immune system too much.

It can interact with prednisone and may lead to increased side effects. It is advisable to avoid ashwagandha supplements while taking prednisone.

Turmeric: Can I take Turmeric with Prednisone?

Turmeric is a popular spice with anti-inflammatory properties and is often taken as a supplement for its health benefits.

If you are experiencing joint or other inflammation while taking prednisone, taking turmeric is not a good option which can lead to drug interaction.

Prednisone is broken down by the cytochrome P450 3A4 and turmeric blocks that, so the prednisone won’t break down properly.

Turmeric can interfere with the metabolism of prednisone and decrease its effectiveness. It is recommended to avoid turmeric supplements while on prednisone to ensure proper treatment.

Conclusion of 9+ Supplements to Avoid While on Prednisone

Those are the 9+ Supplements to avoid while on prednisone. If you’re overwhelmed with how many things to avoid, don’t be! I created a printable list of things to avoid while on prednisone.

Not only does this list include supplements, it also includes vaccines to avoid, medications to avoid, over-the-counter medications to avoid, and foods to avoid.

Just fill out this form below and get it sent immediately to you so you know exactly what to avoid while on prednisone!

BONUS Supplement to Avoid: Calcium (alone)

Avoid calcium alone. Calcium is being depleted by prednisone. When you take prednisone, your body is messing with the calcium system and it’s causing all sorts of changes to the way your body uses calcium.

If you were to take calcium alone, it’s not really going to help your bones, even though that might be why you would take it.

What it might actually do is increase your risk for heart disease because if you only take the calcium, the calcium isn’t being told where to go. 

Calcium needs messengers, it needs these signals to tell it to go from the blood into the bone to build bone. If you’d only take the calcium, it just floats around in the blood and can be deposited in the blood vessels leading to hardening of the arteries.

In fact, there’s a test they can do. They can do an ultrasound of the carotid artery to see how much calcium is deposited there. That’s a great test to see what your risk for heart disease and the progress of your heart disease. If there’s a lot of calcium deposited here, that’s bad news. We do not want the calcium floating around in the blood.

What needs to be added to Calcium?

Do not take calcium alone. Take calcium with vitamin D. They did a study, an analysis of properly conducted trials, and concluded that supplementation with vitamin D and calcium was more effective than placebo or calcium alone in protecting against corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. If you want to protect your bones against osteoporosis, you need at least vitamin D along with calcium.

The doctors who prescribed prednisone the most, who are called rheumatologists, came up with a guideline.

They recommend 1000 mg of calcium and 400 to 800 international units of vitamin D per day for the prevention of osteoporosis. Vitamin D isn’t the only thing you need. You should also have vitamin K2 and magnesium to help drive that calcium into the bone to give those signals.

What’s the best supplement?

What’s the best way to get that? I personally had to take prednisone and I have family members with osteoporosis. I did not want to have those risks. And I felt horrible while I was on prednisone.

If we replenish all of those, we feel so much better because we’re giving our body the nutrients it needs while on prednisone.

All the side effects I was going through, I discovered that if we replenish the nutrients that prednisone depletes, from calcium, vitamin D, and chromium which is causing the weight gain and the sugar issues.

Nutranize Zone

I invented a supplement, Nutranize Zone. It’s the first and only supplement for people on prednisone.

It gives back all of those nutrients you need. Plus I found other supplement ingredients in here to help counteract other side effects. So just go to Nutranize.com and you can get it today to help support your body while you’re taking prednisone.

Questions asked by Prednisone Warriors

Can I take Melatonin with Prednisone?

It is generally safe to take melatonin with prednisone. Check out my full article all about melatonin and prednisone.

Can I take Berberine, the “weight loss supplement” with Prednisone?

Yes, it should be fine for most people. Check out my full article all about berberine and prednisone.

What about Cannabis with Prednisone? Is there a drug interaction?

This is a complicated combination. There may be a drug interaction but the nuances are important.