Drug interactions
Carbonyl iron + Ibuprofen / famotidine
Severity: Moderate
Carbonyl iron and Ibuprofen / famotidine: 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
Famotidine reduces gastric acid and can lower absorption of oral carbonyl iron, which depends on acid for dissolution. The effect is generally modest but may matter in patients with iron deficiency. Ibuprofen can also cause GI blood loss, which works against iron repletion.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbonyl iron and Ibuprofen / famotidine 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.
Why it happens
H2-receptor blockade raises gastric pH, reducing dissolution and absorption of carbonyl iron.
What to do
Monitor hemoglobin and ferritin response to iron. Take iron at least 2 hours before famotidine-containing doses when practical.
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 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 Ibuprofen / famotidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbonyl iron and Ibuprofen / famotidine 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. Famotidine reduces gastric acid and can lower absorption of oral carbonyl iron, which depends on acid for dissolution. The effect is generally modest but may matter in patients with iron deficiency. Ibuprofen can also cause GI blood loss, which works against iron repletion.
How serious is the interaction between Carbonyl iron and Ibuprofen / famotidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor hemoglobin and ferritin response to iron. Take iron at least 2 hours before famotidine-containing doses when practical.
What other medicines interact with Carbonyl iron?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbonyl iron with, for example, Aluminum hydroxide, Baloxavir marboxil, Calcium acetate. The full list is on the Carbonyl iron page.
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