Dosing & Uses
Adequate Intake
Males (14-50 years old): 35 mcg/day; (> 50 years old): 30 mcg/day;
Females (19-50 years old): 25 mcg/day; (>50 years old): 20 mcg/day;
Pregnant 30 mcg/day;
Lactation 45 mcg/day
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
200-1000 mcg/day PO in divided doses
Beta Blocker-Related Low HDL Cholesterol
200 mcg PO TID
Hyperglycemia, Corticosteroid-Induced
200 mcg PO TID, OR
400 mcg PO qDay
Hypoglycemia, Prevention
200 mcg PO qDay
Dysthymic Disorder
200 mcg PO qDay-BID
Other Indications & Uses
Weight loss, type 2 diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, athletic performance enhancement, dysthymic disorder, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia (reactive), low HDL cholesterol (beta blocker-related), muscle mass builder
Efficacy
- Possibly effective in lowering blood lipids, maintaining glycemic control
- Likely ineffective for weight loss
Adequate Intake
0-6 months old: 0.2 mcg/day
7-12 months old: 5.5 mcg/day
1-3 years old: 11 mcg/day
4-8 years old: 15 mcg/day
9-13 years old: 21 mcg/day (female), 25 mcg/day (male)
14-18 years old (female): 21 mcg/day
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Orphan)
Orphan designation for chromium picolinate and chromium histidinate for treatment of pediatic polycystic ovary syndrome (aged ≤16 yr)
Sponsor
- JDS Therapeutics, LLC; 3 Manhattanville Rd, Suite 201; Purchase, NY 10577
Interactions
Interaction Checker
No Results

Contraindicated
Serious - Use Alternative
Significant - Monitor Closely
Minor

Contraindicated (0)
Serious - Use Alternative (1)
- baloxavir marboxil
chromium will decrease the level or effect of baloxavir marboxil by cation binding in GI tract. Avoid or Use Alternate Drug. Baloxavir may bind to polyvalent cations resulting in decreased absorption. Studies in monkeys showed concurrent use with calcium, aluminum, or iron caused significantly decreased plasma levels. Human studies not conducted.
Monitor Closely (5)
- insulin degludec
chromium, insulin degludec. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Both drugs decrease blood glucose.
- insulin degludec/insulin aspart
chromium, insulin degludec/insulin aspart. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Both drugs decrease blood glucose.
- insulin inhaled
chromium, insulin inhaled. Either increases effects of the other by pharmacodynamic synergism. Use Caution/Monitor. Both drugs decrease blood glucose.
- omadacycline
chromium will decrease the level or effect of omadacycline by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Multivalent cation-containing products may impair absorption of tetracyclines, which may decrease its efficacy. Separate dosing of tetracyclines from these products.
- sarecycline
chromium will decrease the level or effect of sarecycline by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Modify Therapy/Monitor Closely. Multivalent cation-containing products may impair absorption of tetracyclines, which may decrease its efficacy. Separate dosing of tetracyclines from these products.
Minor (42)
- acarbose
chromium increases effects of acarbose by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- aluminum hydroxide
aluminum hydroxide decreases levels of chromium by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. Separate by 2 hours.
- aspirin
aspirin increases levels of chromium by unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- aspirin rectal
aspirin rectal increases levels of chromium by unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate
aspirin/citric acid/sodium bicarbonate increases levels of chromium by unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- budesonide
budesonide decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- calcium carbonate
calcium carbonate decreases levels of chromium by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. Separate by 2 hours.
- chlorpropamide
chromium increases effects of chlorpropamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- cortisone
cortisone decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- deflazacort
deflazacort decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- dexamethasone
dexamethasone decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- fludrocortisone
fludrocortisone decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- glimepiride
chromium increases effects of glimepiride by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- glipizide
chromium increases effects of glipizide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- glyburide
chromium increases effects of glyburide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- hydrocortisone
hydrocortisone decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- indomethacin
indomethacin increases levels of chromium by unspecified interaction mechanism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- insulin aspart
chromium increases effects of insulin aspart by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- insulin detemir
chromium increases effects of insulin detemir by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- insulin glargine
chromium increases effects of insulin glargine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- insulin glulisine
chromium increases effects of insulin glulisine by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- insulin lispro
chromium increases effects of insulin lispro by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- insulin NPH
chromium increases effects of insulin NPH by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- insulin regular human
chromium increases effects of insulin regular human by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- metformin
chromium increases effects of metformin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- methylprednisolone
methylprednisolone decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- miglitol
chromium increases effects of miglitol by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- nateglinide
chromium increases effects of nateglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- pioglitazone
chromium increases effects of pioglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- prednisolone
prednisolone decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- prednisone
prednisone decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- repaglinide
chromium increases effects of repaglinide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- rose hips
rose hips increases levels of chromium by enhancing GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- rosiglitazone
chromium increases effects of rosiglitazone by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- saxagliptin
chromium increases effects of saxagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- sitagliptin
chromium increases effects of sitagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- sodium bicarbonate
sodium bicarbonate decreases levels of chromium by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. Separate by 2 hours.
- sodium citrate/citric acid
sodium citrate/citric acid decreases levels of chromium by inhibition of GI absorption. Applies only to oral form of both agents. Minor/Significance Unknown. Separate by 2 hours.
- tolazamide
chromium increases effects of tolazamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- tolbutamide
chromium increases effects of tolbutamide by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension
triamcinolone acetonide injectable suspension decreases levels of chromium by increasing renal clearance. Minor/Significance Unknown.
- vildagliptin
chromium increases effects of vildagliptin by pharmacodynamic synergism. Minor/Significance Unknown.
Adverse Effects
Frequency Not Defined
Common
- Cognitive dysfunction, headache, insomnia, irritability, mood changes, motor dysfunction, perceptual dysfunction, sleep disturbances
- Weight gain (high dose)
- Anemia, hemolysis, thrombocytopenia
Rare
- Renal/liver impairment (high dose)
Warnings
Contraindications
Chromate allergy, leather contact allergy, impaired renal fxn, breastfeeding (high dose)
Cautions
Psychiatric or behavioral disorders (high dose)
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C
Lactation: excretion in milk unknown; use with caution
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Metabolism: N/A
Excretion: renal, biliary
Mechanism of Action
Enhances insulin receptor sensitivity in peripheral cells (component of glucose tolerance factor)