Drug interactions
Azithromycin + Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid
Severity: Moderate
Azithromycin and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid: 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
Sodium picosulfate needs colonic bacteria to be converted to its active form. Antibiotics can suppress this flora and reduce bowel cleansing, which could compromise colonoscopy preparation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azithromycin and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid 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.
Why it happens
Antibiotic suppression of colonic bacteria needed to activate picosulfate.
What to do
Avoid starting antibiotics before bowel preparation where possible. If azithromycin is required, confirm adequate cleansing and consider an alternative regimen if the prep is poor.
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?
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Other interactions of Azithromycin
- Azithromycin + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Domperidone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Piperaquine Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azithromycin with Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Azithromycin and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid 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. Sodium picosulfate needs colonic bacteria to be converted to its active form. Antibiotics can suppress this flora and reduce bowel cleansing, which could compromise colonoscopy preparation.
How serious is the interaction between Azithromycin and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid starting antibiotics before bowel preparation where possible. If azithromycin is required, confirm adequate cleansing and consider an alternative regimen if the prep is poor.
What other medicines interact with Azithromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Azithromycin with, for example, Cisapride, Domperidone, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Azithromycin page.
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