Drug interactions
Balsalazide + Tetracycline
Severity: Minor
Balsalazide and Tetracycline: minor 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
Balsalazide is a prodrug that needs colonic bacteria to cleave it into active mesalamine. Oral tetracycline can suppress these bacteria and may lower the amount of active mesalamine released in the colon. The clinical significance is uncertain and probably small.
What this interaction means in plain words
Balsalazide and Tetracycline have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Balsalazide belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Tetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Antibiotic suppression of colonic azoreductase-producing bacteria may reduce conversion of balsalazide to mesalamine.
What to do
No routine change is needed. If an ulcerative colitis flare occurs during a systemic antibiotic course, consider reduced prodrug activation as a possible contributor when reviewing therapy.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Balsalazide
Other interactions of Tetracycline
- Acitretin + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Methoxyflurane + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Tetracycline Major
- Palovarotene + Tetracycline Major
- Strontium ranelate + Tetracycline Major
- Tetracycline + Tretinoin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Balsalazide with Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Balsalazide and Tetracycline have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Balsalazide is a prodrug that needs colonic bacteria to cleave it into active mesalamine. Oral tetracycline can suppress these bacteria and may lower the amount of active mesalamine released in the colon. The clinical significance is uncertain and probably small.
How serious is the interaction between Balsalazide and Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine change is needed. If an ulcerative colitis flare occurs during a systemic antibiotic course, consider reduced prodrug activation as a possible contributor when reviewing therapy.
What other medicines interact with Balsalazide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Balsalazide with, for example, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live, Varicella virus vaccine live, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Balsalazide page.
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