Overview

Strontium is a silvery metal found naturally as a non-radioactive element. About 99% of the strontium in the human body is concentrated in the bones.

Strontium is physically and chemically similar to calcium. Most strontium in the body comes from drinking water and food. Several different forms of strontium are used as medicine. Strontium chloride is the most common form found in dietary supplements.

People use strontium for tooth sensitivity, cancer that has spread to the bones, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and prostate cancer. It is also used for dental cavities, fractures, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Uses & Effectiveness

Effective for

  • Tooth sensitivity. Brushing with strontium-containing toothpaste helps reduce tooth sensitivity.
  • Cancer that has spread to bone and causes pain. A special prescription form of strontium (strontium-89 chloride) given by IV reduces pain from metastatic bone cancer. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.

Likely Effective for

  • Weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis). Taking strontium ranelate by mouth reduces the risk of fractures and increases bone density in people with osteoporosis. But it can cause serious side effects, so other treatments are usually used instead. Strontium ranelate is not available in the US.

Possibly Effective for

  • Osteoarthritis. Taking strontium ranelate by mouth helps prevent arthritis of the spine from becoming worse. It also seems to decrease pain, stiffness, and loss of cartilage in people with arthritis of the knee. Strontium ranelate is not available in the US.
  • Prostate cancer. Giving a special prescription form of strontium (strontium-89 chloride) by IV slows the growth of prostate cancer. IV products can only be given by a healthcare provider.

There is interest in using strontium for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Strontium is commonly consumed in foods. The typical diet includes 0.5-1.5 mg of strontium daily. Taking a prescription form of strontium, known as strontium ranelate, for up to 10 years is possibly safe. This form of strontium is not available in the U.S.

Taking very high doses of strontium is possibly unsafe. Doses of elemental strontium above 680 mg daily might damage the bones.

There isn't enough reliable information to know if the form of strontium typically used in dietary supplements (strontium chloride) is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the teeth: Toothpastes (Sensodyne-SC) that contain strontium are likely safe. Sensodyne-SC is an FDA-approved product.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Strontium is commonly consumed in foods. The typical diet includes 0.5-1.5 mg of strontium daily. Taking a prescription form of strontium, known as strontium ranelate, for up to 10 years is possibly safe. This form of strontium is not available in the U.S.

Taking very high doses of strontium is possibly unsafe. Doses of elemental strontium above 680 mg daily might damage the bones.

There isn't enough reliable information to know if the form of strontium typically used in dietary supplements (strontium chloride) is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the teeth: Toothpastes (Sensodyne-SC) that contain strontium are likely safe. Sensodyne-SC is an FDA-approved product.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Strontium is likely safe when consumed in foods or used in a toothpaste (Sensodyne-SC) while pregnant or breast-feeding. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taking strontium by mouth in larger amounts is safe when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Heart disease: Don't use strontium if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.

Cerebrovascular disease (stroke): Don't use strontium if you have a history of stroke or poor circulation to the brain.

Kidney problems: Strontium is eliminated by the kidneys and can build up in people with poor kidney function. Use strontium supplements with caution if you have kidney disease. Strontium ranelate should not be used if kidney disease is advanced.

Paget's disease (a bone disease): Use strontium with caution. The bones of people with Paget's disease seem to take up more strontium than normal. It's not clear if this is a concern.

Peripheral arterial disease (decreased blood flow through veins): Don't use strontium if you have peripheral arterial disease.

Blood clotting disorders: Strontium ranelate is associated with a small increased risk of blood clots. Strontium might be more likely to cause blot clots in people with blood clotting disorders or those at high risk of blood clotting. Avoid strontium if you have a clotting disorder.

Interactions

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Antacids interacts with Strontium

    Antacids can decrease how much strontium the body absorbs. To avoid this interaction, take antacids at least two hours after taking strontium products.

  • Antibiotics (Quinolone antibiotics) interacts with Strontium

    Strontium can attach to some antibiotics called quinolones in the stomach. This decreases the amount of quinolones that can be absorbed. Taking strontium with quinolones might decrease their effectiveness. To avoid this interaction, take strontium at least 2 hours before or after taking quinolones.

  • Antibiotics (Tetracycline antibiotics) interacts with Strontium

    Strontium can attach to some antibiotics called tetracyclines in the stomach. This decreases the amount of tetracyclines that can be absorbed. Taking strontium with tetracyclines can decrease their effects. To avoid this interaction, take strontium at least 2 hours before or after taking tetracyclines.

  • Estrogens interacts with Strontium

    Estrogens might decrease how fast the body gets rid of strontium. This could cause the body to have too much strontium and potentially cause side effects.

  • Male hormones (Androgens) interacts with Strontium

    Male hormones might decrease how fast the body gets rid of strontium. This could cause the body to have too much strontium and potentially cause side effects.

Dosing

Strontium ranelate has most often been used by adults in doses of 1-2 grams by mouth daily for up to 10 years. Strontium ranelate is not available in the US. Strontium chloride is the most common form of strontium used in dietary supplements. Strontium is also available in topical gels and toothpastes. Speak to a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.
View References
Show More Show Less

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.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2025 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.