Drug interactions
Magnesium sulfate + Tobramycin
Severity: Moderate
Magnesium sulfate 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
Aminoglycosides can cause renal magnesium wasting and hypomagnesemia. Parenteral magnesium sulfate also has neuromuscular blocking effects that may add to aminoglycoside neuromuscular blockade, causing respiratory weakness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Magnesium sulfate 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.
Why it happens
Additive neuromuscular blockade, plus aminoglycoside-induced renal magnesium wasting.
What to do
Monitor respiratory function and neuromuscular status when giving parenteral magnesium with tobramycin, and check serum magnesium, calcium and creatinine.
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 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 sulfate with Tobramycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Magnesium sulfate 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. Aminoglycosides can cause renal magnesium wasting and hypomagnesemia. Parenteral magnesium sulfate also has neuromuscular blocking effects that may add to aminoglycoside neuromuscular blockade, causing respiratory weakness.
How serious is the interaction between Magnesium sulfate 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 respiratory function and neuromuscular status when giving parenteral magnesium with tobramycin, and check serum magnesium, calcium and creatinine.
What other medicines interact with Tobramycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Tobramycin with, for example, Cidofovir, Adefovir, Amikacin. The full list is on the Tobramycin page.
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