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Drug interactions

Ferric maltol + Levofloxacin

Severity: Moderate

Ferric maltol and Levofloxacin: 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 ferric maltol supplies iron that chelates levofloxacin in the gut, lowering its absorption. This can reduce antibiotic concentrations and risk treatment failure.

What this interaction means in plain words

Ferric maltol and Levofloxacin 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.

Ferric maltol belongs to Miscellaneous; Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Chelation of levofloxacin by polyvalent iron cations in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.

What to do

Give oral levofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after ferric maltol. Consider whether iron can be paused during a short antibiotic course.

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 Ferric maltol with Levofloxacin?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ferric maltol and Levofloxacin 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 ferric maltol supplies iron that chelates levofloxacin in the gut, lowering its absorption. This can reduce antibiotic concentrations and risk treatment failure.

How serious is the interaction between Ferric maltol and Levofloxacin?

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 oral levofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after ferric maltol. Consider whether iron can be paused during a short antibiotic course.

What other medicines interact with Levofloxacin?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Levofloxacin with, for example, Dronedarone, Ibutilide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Levofloxacin page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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