Drug interactions
Calcium carbonate + Gemifloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Calcium carbonate and Gemifloxacin: 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
Calcium forms complexes with fluoroquinolones in the gut and lowers their absorption. This can cause subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium carbonate and Gemifloxacin 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 carbonate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Gemifloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of gemifloxacin by calcium ions reduces its intestinal absorption.
What to do
Give gemifloxacin at least 2 hours before or 3 hours after calcium-containing products.
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 carbonate
Other interactions of Gemifloxacin
- Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium carbonate with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium carbonate and Gemifloxacin 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 forms complexes with fluoroquinolones in the gut and lowers their absorption. This can cause subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium carbonate and Gemifloxacin?
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 gemifloxacin at least 2 hours before or 3 hours after calcium-containing products.
What other medicines interact with Calcium carbonate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Calcium carbonate with, for example, Acalabrutinib, Alendronate, Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan. The full list is on the Calcium carbonate page.
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