Drug interactions
Demeclocycline + Iron
Severity: Moderate
Demeclocycline and Iron: 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 forms chelates with tetracyclines, markedly reducing demeclocycline absorption and risking treatment failure. Tetracyclines may also reduce iron absorption.
What this interaction means in plain words
Demeclocycline and Iron 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
Chelation of demeclocycline by iron ions in the gut lumen, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give demeclocycline at least 2 hours before or 3 hours after oral iron. Consider parenteral iron if separation is impractical.
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 Iron
- Acetohydroxamic acid + Iron Moderate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Iron Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Iron Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium citrate + Iron Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Demeclocycline with Iron?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Demeclocycline and Iron 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 forms chelates with tetracyclines, markedly reducing demeclocycline absorption and risking treatment failure. Tetracyclines may also reduce iron absorption.
How serious is the interaction between Demeclocycline and Iron?
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 demeclocycline at least 2 hours before or 3 hours after oral iron. Consider parenteral iron if separation is impractical.
What other medicines interact with Iron?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Iron with, for example, Acetohydroxamic acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Baloxavir marboxil. The full list is on the Iron page.
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