Drug interactions
Levofloxacin + Magnesium sulfate
Severity: Moderate
Levofloxacin and Magnesium sulfate: 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
Orally administered magnesium sulfate, such as in laxative use, can bind oral levofloxacin in the gut and reduce its absorption. Intravenous magnesium sulfate does not significantly affect levofloxacin absorption.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levofloxacin and Magnesium sulfate 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.
Why it happens
Chelation of levofloxacin by magnesium cations in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Separate oral levofloxacin from oral magnesium sulfate by at least 2 hours, dosing levofloxacin first. No separation is needed with intravenous magnesium.
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 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 sulfate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Levofloxacin and Magnesium sulfate 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. Orally administered magnesium sulfate, such as in laxative use, can bind oral levofloxacin in the gut and reduce its absorption. Intravenous magnesium sulfate does not significantly affect levofloxacin absorption.
How serious is the interaction between Levofloxacin and Magnesium sulfate?
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 levofloxacin from oral magnesium sulfate by at least 2 hours, dosing levofloxacin first. No separation is needed with intravenous magnesium.
What other medicines interact with Levofloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Levofloxacin with, for example, Dronedarone, Ibutilide, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Levofloxacin page.
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