Selenium Interactions
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Interactions with Medications and Supplements
The following are the medications and supplements that are more likely to cause a reaction with selenium supplements:
- Chemotherapy medications (Cisplatin, Doxorubicin, Bleomycin)
Selenium may inhibit the anti-cancer effects of the chemotherapy medication Bleomycin, thereby reducing its effectiveness. On the flip side, selenium may reduce the toxic side effects associated with the chemotherapy medications Cisplatin and Doxorubicin. - Cholesterol-lowering medications (Simvastatin)
If cholesterol-lowering medications such as Simvastatin (which lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol and raise HDL ("good") cholesterol) are taken together with selenium supplements, the selenium prevents the HDL ("good") cholesterol levels from being raise, thus inhibiting some of the effectiveness of the medication. This interactions occurs with cholesterol-lowing drugs and any antioxidant supplements. - Vitamin C and Vitamin E
Selenium enhances the antioxidant properties of both vitamin C and vitamin E, to further prevent oxidation in body tissues and damage from free radicals, so these supplements should be taken together.
Selenium has possible adverse interactions with chemotherapy medications and cholesterol-lowering medications
Other Interactions with Selenium
There are none reported.
Selenium's Effect on Lab Tests
There are none reported.