Drug interactions
Carbonyl iron + Levofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Carbonyl iron and Levofloxacin: 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 levofloxacin in the gut and 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 Levofloxacin 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; Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of levofloxacin by polyvalent iron cations in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give oral levofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after the iron product. Separation of doses avoids the need to stop either drug.
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 Levofloxacin
- Dronedarone + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Levofloxacin Major
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 Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbonyl iron and Levofloxacin 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 levofloxacin in the gut and 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 Levofloxacin?
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 oral levofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after the iron product. Separation of doses avoids the need to stop either drug.
What other medicines interact with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levofloxacin with, for example, Dronedarone, Ibutilide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Levofloxacin page.
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