Drug interactions
Oxytetracycline + Polycarbophil
Severity: Moderate
Oxytetracycline and Polycarbophil: 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
Calcium-containing polycarbophil can bind oxytetracycline in the gut. Oxytetracycline is especially sensitive to chelation, so absorption and efficacy may fall.
What this interaction means in plain words
Oxytetracycline and Polycarbophil 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.
Oxytetracycline belongs to Anti Bacterial; Polycarbophil belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation and adsorption of oxytetracycline by polycarbophil reduce its gastrointestinal absorption.
What to do
Give oxytetracycline at least 2 hours before or 4 to 6 hours after polycarbophil. Monitor for therapeutic failure.
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 Polycarbophil
- Demeclocycline + Polycarbophil Moderate
- Doxycycline + Polycarbophil Moderate
- Minocycline + Polycarbophil Moderate
- Polycarbophil + Tetracycline Moderate
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 Oxytetracycline with Polycarbophil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Oxytetracycline and Polycarbophil 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. Calcium-containing polycarbophil can bind oxytetracycline in the gut. Oxytetracycline is especially sensitive to chelation, so absorption and efficacy may fall.
How serious is the interaction between Oxytetracycline and Polycarbophil?
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 to 6 hours after polycarbophil. Monitor for therapeutic failure.
What other medicines interact with Polycarbophil?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Polycarbophil with, for example, Demeclocycline, Doxycycline, Minocycline. The full list is on the Polycarbophil page.
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