Drug interactions
Cefoxitin + Tobramycin
Severity: Moderate
Cefoxitin and Tobramycin: 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
Concurrent use of a cephalosporin with an aminoglycoside has been associated with additive kidney injury in some reports, particularly in patients with other risk factors. Aminoglycoside ototoxicity may also be a concern.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cefoxitin and Tobramycin 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; Tobramycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Additive nephrotoxic potential, with aminoglycoside tubular toxicity possibly being aggravated by cephalosporins.
What to do
Monitor serum creatinine and tobramycin levels during combined therapy, and keep the aminoglycoside course as short as possible. Maintain hydration and avoid other nephrotoxins.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cefoxitin and Tobramycin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Tobramycin
- Cidofovir + Tobramycin Contraindicated
- Adefovir + Tobramycin Major
- Amikacin + Tobramycin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Tobramycin Major
- Amphotericin b + Tobramycin Major
- Atracurium + Tobramycin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cefoxitin with Tobramycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cefoxitin and Tobramycin 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. Concurrent use of a cephalosporin with an aminoglycoside has been associated with additive kidney injury in some reports, particularly in patients with other risk factors. Aminoglycoside ototoxicity may also be a concern.
How serious is the interaction between Cefoxitin and Tobramycin?
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 serum creatinine and tobramycin levels during combined therapy, and keep the aminoglycoside course as short as possible. Maintain hydration and avoid other nephrotoxins.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
