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Drug interactions

Cimetidine + Ferrous gluconate

Severity: Moderate

Cimetidine and Ferrous gluconate: 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

Reduced gastric acid from cimetidine can impair absorption of oral ferrous salts, potentially blunting the response to iron therapy. The effect matters most with long-term acid suppression.

What this interaction means in plain words

Cimetidine and Ferrous gluconate 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.

Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Ferrous gluconate belongs to Miscellaneous.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Higher gastric pH reduces dissolution and conversion of iron to the absorbable ferrous form.

What to do

Monitor hemoglobin and ferritin response to oral iron. Consider taking iron with vitamin C or using intravenous iron if response is inadequate.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Cimetidine with Ferrous gluconate?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine and Ferrous gluconate 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. Reduced gastric acid from cimetidine can impair absorption of oral ferrous salts, potentially blunting the response to iron therapy. The effect matters most with long-term acid suppression.

How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine and Ferrous gluconate?

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 oral iron. Consider taking iron with vitamin C or using intravenous iron if response is inadequate.

What other medicines interact with Cimetidine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Cimetidine with, for example, Dofetilide, Fezolinetant, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Cimetidine page.

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