Drug interactions
Ibandronate + Iron
Severity: Moderate
Ibandronate and Iron: 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 can bind oral ibandronate in the gut and reduce how much bisphosphonate is absorbed. Ibandronate already has very low bioavailability, so any further loss may reduce its effect on bone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ibandronate and Iron 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.
Ibandronate belongs to Musculoskeletal; Iron belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Polyvalent iron cations chelate the bisphosphonate in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Take oral ibandronate after an overnight fast and wait at least 60 minutes before taking oral iron or other minerals. Intravenous formulations are not affected.
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 Iron
- Acetohydroxamic acid + Iron Moderate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Iron Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Iron Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium citrate + Iron Moderate
Other interactions of Ibandronate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium chloride + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium citrate + Ibandronate Moderate
- Calcium gluconate + Ibandronate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ibandronate with Iron?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ibandronate and Iron 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 can bind oral ibandronate in the gut and reduce how much bisphosphonate is absorbed. Ibandronate already has very low bioavailability, so any further loss may reduce its effect on bone.
How serious is the interaction between Ibandronate and Iron?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Take oral ibandronate after an overnight fast and wait at least 60 minutes before taking oral iron or other minerals. Intravenous formulations are not affected.
What other medicines interact with Iron?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Iron with, for example, Acetohydroxamic acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Baloxavir marboxil. The full list is on the Iron page.
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