Drug interactions
Calcium + Cefuroxime
Severity: Moderate
Calcium and Cefuroxime: 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
Cefuroxime axetil absorption may be reduced when gastric pH is raised by antacids, including calcium carbonate. This can lower antibiotic exposure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium and Cefuroxime 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.
Calcium belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Cefuroxime belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Raised gastric pH impairs dissolution and absorption of cefuroxime axetil.
What to do
Give cefuroxime axetil with food and separate it from calcium carbonate by about 2 hours.
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 Calcium
- Calcium + Ceftriaxone Contraindicated
- Acalabrutinib + Calcium Moderate
- Alendronate + Calcium Moderate
- Atazanavir + Calcium Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Calcium Moderate
- Bendroflumethiazide + Calcium Moderate
Other interactions of Cefuroxime
- Aluminum hydroxide + Cefuroxime Moderate
- Amikacin + Cefuroxime Moderate
- Bcg vaccine live + Cefuroxime Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Cefuroxime Moderate
- Cefuroxime + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Cefuroxime + Cimetidine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium with Cefuroxime?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium and Cefuroxime 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. Cefuroxime axetil absorption may be reduced when gastric pH is raised by antacids, including calcium carbonate. This can lower antibiotic exposure.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium and Cefuroxime?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give cefuroxime axetil with food and separate it from calcium carbonate by about 2 hours.
What other medicines interact with Calcium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Calcium with, for example, Ceftriaxone, Acalabrutinib, Alendronate. The full list is on the Calcium page.
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