Drug interactions
Ferrous sulfate + Levodopa
Severity: Moderate
Ferrous sulfate and Levodopa: 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
Iron forms chelates with levodopa in the gut, lowering levodopa absorption. This can reduce its effect and worsen motor symptoms in Parkinson disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ferrous sulfate and Levodopa 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 sulfate belongs to Miscellaneous; Levodopa belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Iron chelates levodopa in the gastrointestinal tract, decreasing its absorption.
What to do
Separate oral iron and levodopa by at least 2 hours. Monitor for loss of motor control and adjust levodopa if needed.
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
Other interactions of Levodopa
- Isocarboxazid + Levodopa Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Phenelzine (nonselective MAOI) Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Levodopa Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ferrous sulfate with Levodopa?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ferrous sulfate and Levodopa 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. Iron forms chelates with levodopa in the gut, lowering levodopa absorption. This can reduce its effect and worsen motor symptoms in Parkinson disease.
How serious is the interaction between Ferrous sulfate and Levodopa?
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 oral iron and levodopa by at least 2 hours. Monitor for loss of motor control and adjust levodopa if needed.
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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