Drug interactions
Ferrous sulfate + Fleroxacin
Severity: Moderate
Ferrous sulfate and Fleroxacin: 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 bind fluoroquinolones such as fleroxacin in the gut, markedly reducing their absorption. This may result in subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ferrous sulfate and Fleroxacin 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.
Why it happens
Chelation of the fluoroquinolone by ferrous iron in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.
What to do
Give fleroxacin at least 2 hours before or several hours after the iron dose. Consider an alternative anti-infective if dosing cannot be separated.
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 sulfate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ferrous sulfate with Fleroxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ferrous sulfate and Fleroxacin 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 bind fluoroquinolones such as fleroxacin in the gut, markedly reducing their absorption. This may result in subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Ferrous sulfate and Fleroxacin?
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 fleroxacin at least 2 hours before or several hours after the iron dose. Consider an alternative anti-infective if dosing cannot be separated.
What other medicines interact with Ferrous sulfate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ferrous sulfate with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Dimercaprol, Acetohydroxamic acid. The full list is on the Ferrous sulfate page.
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