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Drug interactions

Dolutegravir + Magnesium oxide

Severity: Moderate

Dolutegravir and Magnesium oxide: 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

Magnesium in antacids and supplements binds dolutegravir in the gut and reduces its absorption. This can lower dolutegravir exposure and risk virologic failure and resistance.

What this interaction means in plain words

Dolutegravir and Magnesium oxide 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.

Dolutegravir belongs to Anti Virals; Magnesium oxide belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Polyvalent cation chelation of the integrase inhibitor in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.

What to do

Give dolutegravir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after magnesium-containing products. Alternatively, take both together with food, which is acceptable for some cation supplements.

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 Dolutegravir with Magnesium oxide?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dolutegravir and Magnesium oxide 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. Magnesium in antacids and supplements binds dolutegravir in the gut and reduces its absorption. This can lower dolutegravir exposure and risk virologic failure and resistance.

How serious is the interaction between Dolutegravir and Magnesium oxide?

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 dolutegravir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after magnesium-containing products. Alternatively, take both together with food, which is acceptable for some cation supplements.

What other medicines interact with Dolutegravir?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Dolutegravir with, for example, Dofetilide, Aluminum hydroxide, Atidarsagene autotemcel. The full list is on the Dolutegravir page.

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