Drug interactions
Magnesium hydroxide + Oxytetracycline
Severity: Moderate
Magnesium hydroxide and Oxytetracycline: 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
Magnesium in antacids forms insoluble complexes with oral oxytetracycline, markedly reducing its absorption. Subtherapeutic antibiotic levels can result in treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Magnesium hydroxide and Oxytetracycline 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 hydroxide belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Oxytetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of oxytetracycline by divalent magnesium cations in the gut lowers absorption.
What to do
Give oxytetracycline at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after magnesium hydroxide. Use a non-cation-containing acid suppressant or alternative if frequent dosing is required.
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 hydroxide
Other interactions of Oxytetracycline
- Isotretinoin + Oxytetracycline Contraindicated
- Aluminum hydroxide + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Ampicillin-sulbactam + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Ampicillin + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Atracurium + Oxytetracycline Moderate
- Bismuth subsalicylate + Oxytetracycline Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Magnesium hydroxide with Oxytetracycline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Magnesium hydroxide and Oxytetracycline 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 in antacids forms insoluble complexes with oral oxytetracycline, markedly reducing its absorption. Subtherapeutic antibiotic levels can result in treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Magnesium hydroxide and Oxytetracycline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Give oxytetracycline at least 2 hours before or 4 hours after magnesium hydroxide. Use a non-cation-containing acid suppressant or alternative if frequent dosing is required.
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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