Drug interactions
Iron + Levofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Iron and Levofloxacin: 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 decreases levofloxacin absorption, which can reduce antibacterial effectiveness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Iron and Levofloxacin 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; Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of levofloxacin by iron in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Take levofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after oral iron. Intravenous iron avoids the interaction.
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 Levofloxacin
- Dronedarone + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Levofloxacin Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Levofloxacin + Ziprasidone Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Levofloxacin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Iron with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Iron and Levofloxacin 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 decreases levofloxacin absorption, which can reduce antibacterial effectiveness.
How serious is the interaction between Iron and Levofloxacin?
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 levofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after oral iron. Intravenous iron avoids the interaction.
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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