Drug interactions
Gemifloxacin + Zinc
Severity: Moderate
Gemifloxacin and Zinc: 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
Zinc binds gemifloxacin in the gastrointestinal tract and lowers its absorption. Reduced antibiotic levels may result in therapeutic failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gemifloxacin and Zinc 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.
Gemifloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Zinc belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation of the fluoroquinolone by polyvalent zinc cations in the gut.
What to do
Give gemifloxacin at least 3 hours before or 2 hours after zinc-containing products.
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 Gemifloxacin
- Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Zinc
- Alendronate + Zinc Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Zinc Moderate
- Cefalexin + Zinc Moderate
- Ciprofloxacin + Zinc Moderate
- Delafloxacin + Zinc Moderate
- Dolutegravir + Zinc Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gemifloxacin with Zinc?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gemifloxacin and Zinc 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. Zinc binds gemifloxacin in the gastrointestinal tract and lowers its absorption. Reduced antibiotic levels may result in therapeutic failure.
How serious is the interaction between Gemifloxacin and Zinc?
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 gemifloxacin at least 3 hours before or 2 hours after zinc-containing products.
What other medicines interact with Gemifloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Gemifloxacin with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Dofetilide, Ibutilide. The full list is on the Gemifloxacin page.
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