Drug interactions
Levofloxacin + Magnesium hydroxide
Severity: Major
Levofloxacin and Magnesium hydroxide: major 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
Magnesium hydroxide chelates levofloxacin in the gut and reduces its bioavailability. This may compromise antibacterial efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levofloxacin and Magnesium hydroxide can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Levofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Magnesium hydroxide belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation of levofloxacin by magnesium cations in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.
What to do
Give oral levofloxacin at least 2 hours before or after magnesium hydroxide.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Magnesium hydroxide
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 Levofloxacin with Magnesium hydroxide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Levofloxacin and Magnesium hydroxide can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Magnesium hydroxide chelates levofloxacin in the gut and reduces its bioavailability. This may compromise antibacterial efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Levofloxacin and Magnesium hydroxide?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give oral levofloxacin at least 2 hours before or after magnesium hydroxide.
What other medicines interact with Magnesium hydroxide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Magnesium hydroxide with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Dolutegravir, Gemifloxacin. The full list is on the Magnesium hydroxide page.
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