Drug interactions
Calcium carbonate + Ofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Calcium carbonate and Ofloxacin: 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 ions bind ofloxacin in the gut and reduce its absorption, which may lower antibiotic concentrations and risk treatment failure. The effect is generally smaller than with other polyvalent cations but is still relevant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium carbonate and Ofloxacin 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; Ofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of the fluoroquinolone by calcium forming poorly absorbed complexes.
What to do
Give ofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after calcium carbonate. Avoid co-administration with calcium-containing antacids or supplements.
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 Ofloxacin
- Ofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Ofloxacin Major
- Amiodarone + Ofloxacin Major
- Amisulpride + Ofloxacin Major
- Anagrelide + Ofloxacin Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Ofloxacin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium carbonate with Ofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium carbonate and Ofloxacin 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 ions bind ofloxacin in the gut and reduce its absorption, which may lower antibiotic concentrations and risk treatment failure. The effect is generally smaller than with other polyvalent cations but is still relevant.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium carbonate and Ofloxacin?
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 ofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after calcium carbonate. Avoid co-administration with calcium-containing antacids or supplements.
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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