DOLOMITE

OTHER NAME(S):

Calcaire Dolomitique, Dolomita, Dolomitic Limestone, Dolostone.

Overview

Overview Information

Dolomite is a type of limestone. It is rich in magnesium and calcium carbonate. It also has smaller amounts of several other minerals.

People take dolomite as a calcium and magnesium supplement.

How does it work?

Dolomite might be a good source of calcium carbonate and magnesium.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Use as a source of calcium and magnesium.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of dolomite for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

Dolomite is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most adults when taken by mouth. Some dolomite products might be contaminated with heavy metals like aluminum, arsenic, lead, mercury, and nickel. Because of this concern, it might be wise to choose a safer calcium or magnesium supplement. Also, dolomite might cause stomach irritation, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Don’t take dolomite in large amounts for long periods or in combination with other calcium or magnesium supplements.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to use dolomite if you are pregnant or breast-feeding because of the risk of heavy metal contamination. It’s best to avoid use.

Children: Dolomite is POSSIBLY UNSAFE for most children when taken by mouth. Children are more sensitive than adults to contaminants such as lead. It’s best to avoid use.

Heart block: If you have this condition, don’t use dolomite because it is a source of magnesium. Extra magnesium is not good for people with heart block.

Problems with the parathyroid gland: The parathyroid gland, which is located near the thyroid gland in the neck, releases a hormone that regulates the amount of calcium in the blood. If this gland is either too active (hyperparathyroidism) or underactive (hypoparathyroidism), the calcium balance is disturbed. Taking dolomite, a source of calcium, can make the balance even worse. Don’t take dolomite if you have a problem with your parathyroid gland.

Kidney disease: Extra magnesium and calcium can harm people with kidney disease. Since dolomite is a source of both of these minerals, don’t use it if you have serious kidney problems.

Sarcoidosis: This condition increases the risk of absorbing too much calcium. Don’t take dolomite if you have this condition, because it is a source of calcium.

Interactions

Interactions?

Major Interaction

Do not take this combination

!

  • Water pills (Thiazide diuretics) interacts with DOLOMITE

    Dolomite contains calcium. Some "water pills" increase the amount of calcium in the body. Taking large amounts of calcium with some "water pills" might cause there to be too much calcium in the body. This could cause serious side effects including kidney problems.
    Some of these "water pills" include chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril, Esidrix), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Zaroxolyn), and chlorthalidone (Hygroton).

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

!

  • Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics) interacts with DOLOMITE

    Dolomite might decrease how much antibiotic the body absorbs. Taking dolomite along with some antibiotics called quinolone antibiotics might decrease the effectiveness of these antibiotics. To avoid this interaction take dolomite supplements at least one hour after antibiotics.
    Some of these quinolone antibiotics that might interact with dolomite include ciprofloxacin (Cipro), enoxacin (Penetrex), norfloxacin (Chibroxin, Noroxin), sparfloxacin (Zagam), trovafloxacin (Trovan), and grepafloxacin (Raxar).

  • Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with DOLOMITE

    Dolomite contains calcium. The calcium in dolomite can attach to some antibiotics called tetracyclines in the stomach. This decreases the amount of tetracyclines that the body can absorb. Taking dolomite along with tetracyclines might decrease the effectiveness of tetracyclines. To avoid this interaction take dolomite two hours before or four hours after taking tetracyclines.
    Some tetracycline antibiotics include demeclocycline (Declomycin), minocycline (Minocin), and tetracycline (Achromycin).

  • Bisphosphonates interacts with DOLOMITE

    Dolomite can decrease how much bisphosphate the body absorbs. Taking dolomite along with bisphosphates can decrease the effectiveness of bisphosphate. To avoid this interaction take bisphosphonate at least 30 minutes before dolomite or later in the day.
    Some bisphosphonates include alendronate (Fosamax), etidronate (Didronel), risedronate (Actonel), tiludronate (Skelid), and others.

  • Estrogens interacts with DOLOMITE

    Dolomite contains calcium. Estrogens help the body absorb calcium. Taking estrogens along with large amounts of calcium might increase calcium in the body too much.

  • Levothyroxine interacts with DOLOMITE

    Levothyroxine is used for low thyroid function. Dolomite can decrease how much levothyroxine the body absorbs. Taking dolomite along with levothyroxine might decrease the effectiveness of levothyroxine.
    Some brands that contain levothyroxine include Armour Thyroid, Eltroxin, Estre, Euthyrox, Levo-T, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid, and others.

  • Sotalol (Betapace) interacts with DOLOMITE

    Dolomite contains calcium. Taking calcium with sotalol (Betapace) can decrease how much sotalol the body absorbs. This could decrease the effectiveness of sotalol. Take dolomite at least two hours before or four hours after taking sotalol.

  • Water pills (Potassium-sparing diuretics) interacts with DOLOMITE

    Dolomite contains magnesium. Some "water pills" can increase magnesium levels in the body. Taking some "water pills" along with dolomite might cause too much magnesium to be in the body.
    Some "water pills" that increase magnesium in the body include amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyrenium).

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of dolomite depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for dolomite. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

  • Friedman PA, Bushinsky DA. Diuretic effects on calcium metabolism. Semin Nephrol 1999;19:551-6. View abstract.
  • Gallagher JC, Riggs BL, DeLuca. Effect of estrogen on calcium absorption and serum vitamin D metabolites in postmenopausal osteoporosis. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1980;51:1359-64. View abstract.
  • Heidenreich O. Mode of action of conventional and potassium-sparing diuretics--aspects with relevance to Mg-sparing effects. Magnesium 1984;3:248-56.. View abstract.
  • Hollifield JW. Magnesium depletion, diuretics, and arrhythmias. Am J Med 1987;82:30-7.. View abstract.
  • Iraji F, Siadat AH. Pityriasis rubra pilaris following exposure to dolomite. J Res Med Sci. 2013;18(7):621-2. View abstract.
  • Kahela P, Anttila M, Tikkanen R, Sundquist H. Effect of food, food constituents and fluid volume on the bioavailability of sotalol. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh) 1979;44:7-12.. View abstract.
  • Meacham SL, Taper LJ, Volpe SL. Effect of boron supplementation on blood and urinary calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, and urinary boron in athletic and sedentary women. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61:341-5. View abstract.
  • Murry JJ, Healy MD. Drug-mineral interactions: a new responsibility for the hospital dietician. J Am Diet Assoc 1991;91:66-73. View abstract.
  • Anttila, S., Sutinen, S., Paakko, P., and Finell, B. Rheumatoid pneumoconiosis in a dolomite worker: a light and electron microscopic, and X-ray microanalytical study. Br.J.Dis.Chest 1984;78(2):195-200. View abstract.
  • Mattos, J. C., Hahn, M., Augusti, P. R., Conterato, G. M., Frizzo, C. P., Unfer, T. C., Dressler, V. L., Flores, E. M., and Emanuelli, T. Lead content of dietary calcium supplements available in Brazil. Food Addit.Contam 2006;23(2):133-139. View abstract.
  • Mizoguchi, T., Nagasawa, S., Takahashi, N., Yagasaki, H., and Ito, M. Dolomite supplementation improves bone metabolism through modulation of calcium-regulating hormone secretion in ovariectomized rats. J.Bone Miner.Metab 2005;23(2):140-146. View abstract.
  • Roberts, R. J. Dolomite as a source of toxic metals. N.Engl.J.Med. 2-12-1981;304(7):423. View abstract.
  • Selden, A. I., Berg, N. P., Lundgren, E. A., Hillerdal, G., Wik, N. G., Ohlson, C. G., and Bodin, L. S. Exposure to tremolite asbestos and respiratory health in Swedish dolomite workers. Occup.Environ.Med. 2001;58(10):670-677. View abstract.
  • Steenkamp, V., Stewart, M. J., Curowska, E., and Zuckerman, M. A severe case of multiple metal poisoning in a child treated with a traditional medicine. Forensic Sci.Int. 8-28-2002;128(3):123-126. View abstract.
  • Bourgoin BP, Evans DR, Cornett JR, et al. Lead content in 70 brands of dietary calcium supplements. Am J Public Health 1993;83:1155-60. View abstract.
  • Butner LE, Fulco PP, Feldman G, et al. Calcium carbonate-induced hypothyroidism. Ann Intern Med 2000:132:595. View abstract.
  • Neghab M, Abedini R, Soltanzadeh A, et al. Respiratory disorders associated with heavy inhalation exposure to dolomite dust. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2012;14(9):549-57. View abstract.
  • Pletz MW, Petzold P, Allen A, et al. Effect of calcium carbonate on bioavailability of orally administered gemifloxacin. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2003;47:2158-60.. View abstract.
  • Roberts HJ. Potential toxicity due to dolomite and bonemeal. South Med J 1983;76:556-9. View abstract.
  • Ryan MP. Diuretics and potassium/magnesium depletion. Directions for treatment. Am J Med 1987;82:38-47.. View abstract.
  • Scelfo GM, Flegal AR. Lead in calcium supplements. Environ Health Perspect 2000;108:309-19. View abstract.
  • Schneyer CR. Calcium carbonate and reduction of levothyroxine efficacy. JAMA 1998;279:750. View abstract.
  • Shils M, Olson A, Shike M. Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lea and Febiger, 1994.
  • Singh N, Singh PN, Hershman JM. Effect of calcium carbonate on the absorption of levothyroxine. JAMA 2000;283:2822-5. View abstract.
  • Young DS. Effects of Drugs on Clinical Laboratory Tests 4th ed. Washington: AACC Press, 1995.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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