If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you
should not use copper supplements without first talking to your healthcare
provider.
Birth Control Medications and Estrogen following
menopause
Birth control medications and estrogen replacement for
post-menopausal women can increase blood levels of copper. Therefore, copper
supplements are not appropriate and may be cause for concern in individuals
taking either of these medications.
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Copper binds to
NSAIDs (such as ibuprofen and naproxen) and appears to enhance their
anti-inflammatory activity.
Penicillamine
Penicillamine (a medication used to treat
Wilson's disease and rheumatoid arthritis) reduces copper levels that may be the
intended use, as in the case of Wilson's disease.
Allopurinol
Test tube studies suggest that allopurinol, a
medication used to treat gout, may reduce copper levels.
Cimetidine
Animal studies show that cimetidine, a medication
used to treat ulcers and gastric esophageal reflux disease (when acid from the
stomach enters the esophagus and causes heartburn and indigestion), may elevate
copper levels in the body leading to damage of the liver and other organs.