Drug interactions
Gentamicin + Magnesium
Severity: Moderate
Gentamicin and Magnesium: 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
Gentamicin can cause renal magnesium wasting and hypomagnesemia during prolonged treatment. Magnesium depletion may worsen hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. Magnesium may also add to neuromuscular blockade from aminoglycosides.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gentamicin and Magnesium 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.
Gentamicin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Magnesium belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Aminoglycoside tubular toxicity impairs renal magnesium reabsorption.
What to do
Monitor serum magnesium, potassium and calcium during extended courses and replace deficits.
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 Magnesium
- Ciprofloxacin + Magnesium Major
- Magnesium + Pancuronium Major
- Magnesium + Rocuronium Major
- Magnesium + Vecuronium Major
- Amikacin + Magnesium Moderate
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Magnesium Moderate
Other interactions of Gentamicin
- Cidofovir + Gentamicin Contraindicated
- Adefovir + Gentamicin Major
- Amikacin + Gentamicin Major
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Gentamicin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Gentamicin Major
- Amphotericin b + Gentamicin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gentamicin with Magnesium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gentamicin and Magnesium 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. Gentamicin can cause renal magnesium wasting and hypomagnesemia during prolonged treatment. Magnesium depletion may worsen hypokalemia and hypocalcemia. Magnesium may also add to neuromuscular blockade from aminoglycosides.
How serious is the interaction between Gentamicin and Magnesium?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum magnesium, potassium and calcium during extended courses and replace deficits.
What other medicines interact with Magnesium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Magnesium with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Pancuronium, Rocuronium. The full list is on the Magnesium page.
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