Drug interactions
Carbonyl iron + Gemifloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Carbonyl iron 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
Oral iron binds gemifloxacin in the gut and substantially reduces its absorption, which can lead to subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure. This applies only when both are taken by mouth.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbonyl iron 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.
Carbonyl iron belongs to Miscellaneous; Gemifloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of gemifloxacin by polyvalent iron cations in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Take gemifloxacin at least 2 hours before or 3 hours after oral iron. Alternatively, delay iron until the antibiotic course is complete.
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 Gemifloxacin
- Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Carbonyl iron
- Aluminum hydroxide + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Calcium + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Carbonyl iron Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbonyl iron with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbonyl iron 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. Oral iron binds gemifloxacin in the gut and substantially reduces its absorption, which can lead to subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure. This applies only when both are taken by mouth.
How serious is the interaction between Carbonyl iron 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: Take gemifloxacin at least 2 hours before or 3 hours after oral iron. Alternatively, delay iron until the antibiotic course is complete.
What other medicines interact with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gemifloxacin with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Gemifloxacin page.
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