Drug interactions
Magnesium supplement + Neomycin
Severity: Moderate
Magnesium supplement and Neomycin: 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 have neuromuscular blocking activity, and magnesium also impairs neuromuscular transmission. Together they may potentiate weakness and, in susceptible patients, respiratory depression. The risk is greater with high-dose or parenteral magnesium, renal impairment, or when neomycin absorption is increased, for example with damaged bowel mucosa.
What this interaction means in plain words
Magnesium supplement and Neomycin 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 inhibition of neuromuscular transmission (reduced presynaptic acetylcholine release and postsynaptic effects).
What to do
Avoid high-dose magnesium with neomycin where possible and monitor for muscle weakness and respiratory function in at-risk patients. Check renal function and serum 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 Neomycin
- Amikacin + Neomycin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Neomycin Major
- Capreomycin + Neomycin Major
- Cidofovir + Neomycin Major
- Colistin + Neomycin Major
- Ethacrynic acid + Neomycin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Magnesium supplement with Neomycin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Magnesium supplement and Neomycin 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 have neuromuscular blocking activity, and magnesium also impairs neuromuscular transmission. Together they may potentiate weakness and, in susceptible patients, respiratory depression. The risk is greater with high-dose or parenteral magnesium, renal impairment, or when neomycin absorption is increased, for example with damaged bowel mucosa.
How serious is the interaction between Magnesium supplement and Neomycin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid high-dose magnesium with neomycin where possible and monitor for muscle weakness and respiratory function in at-risk patients. Check renal function and serum magnesium.
What other medicines interact with Neomycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Neomycin with, for example, Amikacin, Amphotericin b deoxycholate, Capreomycin. The full list is on the Neomycin page.
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