Medications you should not take with dairy include antibiotics and drugs for thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, and mental health.1

Tip

You do not have to avoid dairy completely if you take any of these medications—you may just need to wait to enjoy dairy.

1. Thyroid Medication

Medication like Synthroid (levothyroxine) helps treat hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid).2

Synthroid replaces missing thyroid hormone in your body if you have hypothyroidism. All thyroid medications should be taken on an empty stomach, but levothyroxine is a bit different.

Eating or drinking calcium-rich foods or taking a calcium supplement can reduce the absorption of the medication. Drinking milk has been associated with lower circulating levothyroxine levels.3  

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends waiting four hours to consume dairy after taking levothyroxine.1

2. Antibiotics

Antibiotics work against bacterial infections.

There are many antibiotics that should not be taken with dairy because calcium can reduce the amount of the medication your body can use.1

It's recommended to space out your antibiotics and dairy by at least two hours.1 Speak with a doctor to make sure the antibiotic you are taking is okay to consume with dairy.4

3. Iron Supplements

Some people take iron supplements for anemia or other iron deficiencies.

For better absorption, iron is best taken on an empty stomach, although it may cause side effects, such as an upset stomach.5

It is good to take the supplement with a little bit of food, but make sure it is not a high-calcium dairy product because they can interact. Try spacing them out by about two hours.5

4. Osteoporosis Medication 

Osteoporosis is a condition common in older women, in which the bones thin out and become fragile. Your risk of breaking a bone increases if you have osteoporosis.

Medications called bisphosphonates can strengthen bones. These medications include:6

• Actonel (risedronate)
• Boniva (ibandronate)
• Fosamax (alendronate)

Dairy products and other foods high in calcium, like fortified orange juice, are known to cause your body to absorb and use less of the medication.

Be sure to wait several hours before drinking milk or eating other dairy products.6

5. Lithium

Lithium salts reduce manic episodes for people with bipolar disorder by stabilizing their mood. They are sometimes prescribed for other psychiatric illnesses, like depression or schizophrenia.

The long-term use of lithium can cause a buildup of calcium in the body.1

Lithium medications are sold under the brand names Eskalith and Lithobid.

6. HIV Medication

Dovato and Tivicay (dolutegravir) are antiretroviral medications that treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).7 Dolutegravir may also prevent HIV after exposure.

Taking dolutegravir and calcium supplements is okay if you take them with a meal. Otherwise, the interaction can cause your body to absorb less of the medication.8

It is recommended to take dolutegravir either two hours before or six hours after any calcium-rich foods or supplements.1

When To Seek Care

Speak with a doctor about how to time your medications and your meals, along with the timing of any calcium supplements or supplements that contain calcium (such as a multivitamin).

You can often enjoy dairy products like milk, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream, but you may have to time things correctly. 

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can you take vitamin D with milk?

  It is safe to drink milk with vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D is fat-soluble, so milk helps your body absorb it.9

• Can I take Tylenol with milk?

  You can take Tylenol (acetaminophen) with milk to avoid an upset stomach.