Drug interactions
Magnesium + Nifedipine
Severity: Moderate
Magnesium and Nifedipine: 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
Parenteral magnesium sulfate given with nifedipine, as in obstetric tocolysis or preeclampsia care, can cause additive hypotension. Rare reports describe exaggerated neuromuscular weakness as well.
What this interaction means in plain words
Magnesium and Nifedipine 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.
Magnesium belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Both drugs block calcium entry into cells, producing additive vasodilation and potentiated neuromuscular effects.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate closely when combining them. Watch for muscle weakness, loss of deep tendon reflexes and respiratory depression, and reduce doses if these occur.
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 Magnesium
- Ciprofloxacin + Magnesium Major
- Magnesium + Pancuronium Major
- Magnesium + Rocuronium Major
- Magnesium + Vecuronium Major
- Amikacin + Magnesium Moderate
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Magnesium Moderate
Other interactions of Nifedipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Magnesium with Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Magnesium and Nifedipine 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. Parenteral magnesium sulfate given with nifedipine, as in obstetric tocolysis or preeclampsia care, can cause additive hypotension. Rare reports describe exaggerated neuromuscular weakness as well.
How serious is the interaction between Magnesium and Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure and heart rate closely when combining them. Watch for muscle weakness, loss of deep tendon reflexes and respiratory depression, and reduce doses if these occur.
What other medicines interact with Magnesium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Magnesium with, for example, Ciprofloxacin, Pancuronium, Rocuronium. The full list is on the Magnesium page.
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