Drug interactions
Ferric maltol + Tetracycline
Severity: Moderate
Ferric maltol and Tetracycline: 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 binds tetracycline in the gut to form poorly absorbed chelates. This lowers tetracycline blood levels and may cause treatment failure. Iron absorption may also be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ferric maltol and Tetracycline 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; Tetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of tetracycline by ferric iron in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.
What to do
Separate doses: give tetracycline at least 2 hours before or 3-4 hours after ferric maltol. Consider an alternative antibiotic if the timing cannot be maintained.
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 Tetracycline
- Acitretin + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Methoxyflurane + Tetracycline Contraindicated
- Isotretinoin + Tetracycline Major
- Palovarotene + Tetracycline Major
- Strontium ranelate + Tetracycline Major
- Tetracycline + Tretinoin Major
Other interactions of Ferric maltol
- Aluminum hydroxide + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Calcium + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Cimetidine + Ferric maltol Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ferric maltol with Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ferric maltol and Tetracycline 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 binds tetracycline in the gut to form poorly absorbed chelates. This lowers tetracycline blood levels and may cause treatment failure. Iron absorption may also be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Ferric maltol and Tetracycline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Separate doses: give tetracycline at least 2 hours before or 3-4 hours after ferric maltol. Consider an alternative antibiotic if the timing cannot be maintained.
What other medicines interact with Tetracycline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tetracycline with, for example, Acitretin, Methoxyflurane, Isotretinoin. The full list is on the Tetracycline page.
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