Drug interactions
Ferrous fumarate + Oxytetracycline
Severity: Moderate
Ferrous fumarate and Oxytetracycline: 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 oxytetracycline in the gut to form poorly absorbed chelates. This can substantially lower antibiotic levels and cause treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ferrous fumarate and Oxytetracycline 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.
Ferrous fumarate belongs to Miscellaneous; Oxytetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of tetracycline by iron cations in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give oxytetracycline at least 2 hours before or 3 hours after the iron preparation, or temporarily pause iron 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?
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Other interactions of Ferrous fumarate
Other interactions of Oxytetracycline
- Isotretinoin + Oxytetracycline Contraindicated
- Aluminum hydroxide + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Ampicillin-sulbactam + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Ampicillin + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Atracurium + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Bismuth subsalicylate + Oxytetracycline Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ferrous fumarate with Oxytetracycline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ferrous fumarate and Oxytetracycline 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 oxytetracycline in the gut to form poorly absorbed chelates. This can substantially lower antibiotic levels and cause treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Ferrous fumarate and Oxytetracycline?
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 oxytetracycline at least 2 hours before or 3 hours after the iron preparation, or temporarily pause iron during a short antibiotic course.
What other medicines interact with Ferrous fumarate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ferrous fumarate with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Acetohydroxamic acid, Aluminum hydroxide. The full list is on the Ferrous fumarate page.
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