Drug interactions
Famotidine + Ferrous sulfate
Severity: Moderate
Famotidine and Ferrous sulfate: 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 salts need gastric acid to be dissolved and reduced for absorption. Famotidine can decrease absorption of ferrous sulfate, which may blunt response to iron therapy during prolonged use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Famotidine and Ferrous sulfate 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.
Famotidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Ferrous sulfate belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Increased gastric pH impairs dissolution and conversion of ferric to absorbable ferrous iron.
What to do
Monitor hemoglobin and ferritin in patients on long-term combined therapy. Taking iron with vitamin C or considering a dose increase or IV iron may be needed if response is poor.
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 Famotidine
Other interactions of Ferrous sulfate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Famotidine with Ferrous sulfate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Famotidine and Ferrous sulfate 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 salts need gastric acid to be dissolved and reduced for absorption. Famotidine can decrease absorption of ferrous sulfate, which may blunt response to iron therapy during prolonged use.
How serious is the interaction between Famotidine and Ferrous sulfate?
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 in patients on long-term combined therapy. Taking iron with vitamin C or considering a dose increase or IV iron may be needed if response is poor.
What other medicines interact with Famotidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Famotidine with, for example, Atazanavir, Dasatinib, Infigratinib. The full list is on the Famotidine page.
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