Drug interactions
Cefoxitin + Tetracycline
Severity: Moderate
Cefoxitin and Tetracycline: 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
Bacteriostatic tetracyclines may theoretically reduce the bactericidal activity of beta-lactams, which depend on actively dividing bacteria. Clinical significance is uncertain.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefoxitin and Tetracycline 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.
Cefoxitin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Tetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis reduces growth, which blunts cell-wall-active beta-lactam killing.
What to do
Avoid combining in severe infections where bactericidal activity is essential, and select agents based on culture results. If both are required, monitor clinical response closely.
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
Other interactions of Tetracycline
- Acitretin + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Methoxyflurane + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Tetracycline Major
- Palovarotene + Tetracycline Major
- Strontium ranelate + Tetracycline Major
- Tetracycline + Tretinoin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefoxitin with Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefoxitin and Tetracycline 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. Bacteriostatic tetracyclines may theoretically reduce the bactericidal activity of beta-lactams, which depend on actively dividing bacteria. Clinical significance is uncertain.
How serious is the interaction between Cefoxitin and Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid combining in severe infections where bactericidal activity is essential, and select agents based on culture results. If both are required, monitor clinical response closely.
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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