7 mins read

Overview: Strontium is a trace mineral that is naturally found in your body as well as in some foods in very small amounts. Strontium chloride is added to some toothpastes to help with sensitive teeth and may also be found in some skin care products used for itching. Dietary supplements that contain strontium are sometimes used to support bone health. However, the benefits of strontium for any use are not well defined. Strontium products seem to be well tolerated by most people, but taking high doses of strontium by mouth may increase the risk for serious side effects, including blood clots, heart attack, or stroke. Before taking strontium, tell your health care provider about any medicines you are taking and any health conditions you have, especially if you have a history of heart disease or blood clots.

Uses

What is strontium used for?

Strontium supplements are commonly used for bone health. Strontium chloride is sometimes added to toothpaste to help with tooth sensitivity and may also be added to skin care products to help with itching. However, the benefits of strontium for any use are not well defined.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed strontium for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does strontium work (mechanism of action)?

Strontium is a trace mineral that is a natural part of soil and seawater. It is present in your body in very small amounts, but it is not clear whether your body needs it to function. Since strontium does not seem to have an important role in your body, there is no recommended daily amount of strontium.

Your bones naturally contain very small amounts of strontium, which has sparked interest in taking strontium supplements to improve bone health. But strontium supplements have not been studied for this purpose, and their benefits are not well understood or defined.

A specific form of strontium, strontium chloride, is found in some toothpastes and skin care products. When used in toothpaste, strontium chloride is thought to help with sensitive teeth. But it does not seem to work as well as other common toothpaste ingredients, such as potassium nitrate and stannous fluoride. Skin care products that contain strontium chloride are often marketed to help with itching, but there is not enough research to know whether it is helpful for this use.

How should I store strontium?

You should store strontium according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of strontium?

Strontium seems to be well tolerated. However, some people may be at risk for serious side effects (see below for more information). Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.

There may be side effects of strontium that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of strontium?

While less common, the most serious side effects of strontium are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Strontium may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using strontium and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Blood Clots. A certain form of strontium, called strontium ranelate, can increase the risk of a blood clot in your arteries or veins. This could cause venous thromboembolism, including a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). It is not clear if other forms of strontium can also increase your risk of a blood clot. However, the risk may be higher in people who have had a blood clot, have other heart and circulation problems, or who are taking high doses of strontium. Stop taking strontium and get emergency help if you have any of the following signs of a blood clot.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arm
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech
  • Pain, swelling, or tenderness in your arm or leg
  • Vision loss
  • Bulging eyes
  • Double vision

Heart Attack and Stroke. A certain form of strontium, called strontium ranelate, can increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke that can lead to death. It is not clear if other forms of strontium can also increase your risk for a blood clot. However, the risk may be higher in people who already have heart disease or who are taking high doses of strontium. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms of a heart attack or stroke.

  • Chest pain or pressure
  • Fast or abnormal heartbeat
  • Trouble breathing
  • Pain in your back, jaw, throat, or arms
  • Sweating, upset stomach, vomiting, or dizziness
  • Sudden weakness on one side of your body
  • Sudden and severe headache
  • Slurred speech or trouble understanding speech

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use strontium?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use strontium.

  • Strontium (Sr)
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific strontium products they stock.

What should I know about strontium before using it?

Strontium is available as a dietary supplement. It may also be added to toothpaste and skin care products. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep strontium out of the reach of children.

Dietary supplements may contain many different forms of strontium. Some examples include strontium citrate, strontium gluconate, and strontium lactate. It is not clear if any of these forms of strontium work differently in the body.

The FDA has not tested strontium products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using strontium?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if strontium is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Blood Clot, Heart Attack, or Stroke. There is concern that some forms of strontium may increase the risk of a blood clot, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke. This risk may be higher in people who have had a prior blood clot, heart attack, or stroke. If you have had any of these health problems, talk to a health care provider before taking strontium.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Kidney problems
  • Inability to get up or move around very much 
  • A history of smoking cigarettes
  • Osteoporosis, or if you take any medicines for osteoporosis

Other Medicines and Supplements. Strontium may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking strontium, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how strontium could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if strontium passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does strontium interact with foods or drinks?

Foods and drinks that are high in calcium may lower the amount of strontium that your body absorbs. It may be best to take strontium at least two hours before or after any calcium-fortified products or dairy products, such as milk and yogurt.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect strontium.

Does strontium interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Some medicines may alter the blood levels of strontium. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

The interactions between strontium and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with strontium is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking strontium with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much strontium?

If you or someone else has used too much strontium, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Strontium is available in many forms, including as a supplement, toothpaste, and in products that are applied to your skin. Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use strontium safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.