Drug interactions
Aluminum hydroxide + Penicillamine
Severity: Moderate
Aluminum hydroxide and Penicillamine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Aluminum-containing antacids reduce the absorption of penicillamine, which can lower its therapeutic effect in Wilson disease, cystinuria or rheumatoid arthritis. The effect is clinically relevant when doses are close together.
What this interaction means in plain words
Aluminum hydroxide and Penicillamine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Aluminum hydroxide belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Penicillamine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Aluminum chelates or adsorbs penicillamine in the gut, reducing its oral absorption.
What to do
Separate penicillamine and the antacid by at least 2 hours. Monitor clinical response, such as urinary copper or cystine, if antacids are used regularly.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to see why Aluminum hydroxide and Penicillamine interact, what to do about it, and the sources.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Aluminum hydroxide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Aluminum hydroxide with Penicillamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Aluminum hydroxide and Penicillamine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Aluminum-containing antacids reduce the absorption of penicillamine, which can lower its therapeutic effect in Wilson disease, cystinuria or rheumatoid arthritis. The effect is clinically relevant when doses are close together.
How serious is the interaction between Aluminum hydroxide and Penicillamine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate penicillamine and the antacid by at least 2 hours. Monitor clinical response, such as urinary copper or cystine, if antacids are used regularly.
What other medicines interact with Aluminum hydroxide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Aluminum hydroxide with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Deferasirox, Dolutegravir. The full list is on the Aluminum hydroxide page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
