Drug interactions
Iron + Levodopa
Severity: Moderate
Iron 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
Oral iron salts can lower the amount of levodopa absorbed from the gut, which may reduce its effect and cause more off-time in people with Parkinson's disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Iron 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 belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Levodopa belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Iron forms chelate complexes with levodopa in the gastrointestinal tract, decreasing its absorption.
What to do
Separate oral iron from levodopa by at least 2 to 3 hours where possible. Monitor motor response and adjust levodopa if control worsens.
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 Levodopa
- Isocarboxazid + Levodopa Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Phenelzine (nonselective MAOI) Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Levodopa + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Levodopa Major
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Iron with Levodopa?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Iron 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. Oral iron salts can lower the amount of levodopa absorbed from the gut, which may reduce its effect and cause more off-time in people with Parkinson's disease.
How serious is the interaction between Iron 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 from levodopa by at least 2 to 3 hours where possible. Monitor motor response and adjust levodopa if control worsens.
What other medicines interact with Levodopa?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levodopa with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Phenelzine (nonselective MAOI). The full list is on the Levodopa page.
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