Drug interactions
Cefoxitin + Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid
Severity: Moderate
Cefoxitin and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid: 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
Sodium picosulfate is a prodrug activated by colonic bacteria. Antibiotics that reduce gut flora may lessen activation and give a poorer bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefoxitin and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid 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
Antibiotic suppression of colonic bacteria that convert picosulfate to its active laxative metabolite.
What to do
Assess bowel preparation quality before the procedure and consider an additional or alternative cleansing regimen if the antibiotic is needed. Ideally avoid systemic antibiotics around the preparation period when clinically feasible.
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 Cefoxitin
- Amikacin + Cefoxitin Moderate
- Aztreonam + Cefoxitin Moderate
- Bcg vaccine live + Cefoxitin Moderate
- Cefoxitin + Chloramphenicol Moderate
- Cefoxitin + Cholera vaccine Moderate
- Cefoxitin + Dexamethasone-tobramycin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefoxitin with Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefoxitin and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid 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. Sodium picosulfate is a prodrug activated by colonic bacteria. Antibiotics that reduce gut flora may lessen activation and give a poorer bowel cleansing before colonoscopy.
How serious is the interaction between Cefoxitin and Sodium picosulfate / magnesium oxide / anhydrous citric acid?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Assess bowel preparation quality before the procedure and consider an additional or alternative cleansing regimen if the antibiotic is needed. Ideally avoid systemic antibiotics around the preparation period when clinically feasible.
What other medicines interact with Cefoxitin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cefoxitin with, for example, Amikacin, Aztreonam, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cefoxitin page.
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