Drug interactions
Magnesium + Tobramycin
Severity: Moderate
Magnesium and Tobramycin: 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
Tobramycin can cause renal magnesium wasting and hypomagnesemia, especially with prolonged courses. Magnesium may also add to aminoglycoside neuromuscular blockade, particularly with intravenous magnesium sulfate.
What this interaction means in plain words
Magnesium and Tobramycin 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; Tobramycin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Aminoglycoside tubular toxicity increases urinary magnesium excretion, and both agents depress neuromuscular transmission.
What to do
Monitor serum magnesium and renal function during tobramycin therapy and replace magnesium if low. Observe for muscle weakness or respiratory depression if parenteral magnesium is co-administered.
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 Tobramycin
- Cidofovir + Tobramycin Contraindicated
- Adefovir + Tobramycin Major
- Amikacin + Tobramycin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Tobramycin Major
- Amphotericin b + Tobramycin Major
- Atracurium + Tobramycin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Magnesium with Tobramycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Magnesium and Tobramycin 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. Tobramycin can cause renal magnesium wasting and hypomagnesemia, especially with prolonged courses. Magnesium may also add to aminoglycoside neuromuscular blockade, particularly with intravenous magnesium sulfate.
How serious is the interaction between Magnesium and Tobramycin?
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 serum magnesium and renal function during tobramycin therapy and replace magnesium if low. Observe for muscle weakness or respiratory depression if parenteral magnesium is co-administered.
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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