Drug interactions
Raltegravir + Zinc
Severity: Moderate
Raltegravir and Zinc: 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
Zinc may bind raltegravir in the gut, although this chelation is less prominent than with aluminum or magnesium antacids or calcium. Reduced absorption could lower antiviral efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Raltegravir and Zinc 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.
Raltegravir belongs to Anti Virals; Zinc belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation of raltegravir by polyvalent zinc cations in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.
What to do
Take raltegravir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after zinc-containing products, and monitor HIV viral load.
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 Raltegravir
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Raltegravir Contraindicated
- Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium carbonate + Raltegravir Major
- Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium trisilicate + Raltegravir Major
- Aluminum hydroxide + Raltegravir Major
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Raltegravir Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Raltegravir Major
Other interactions of Zinc
- Alendronate + Zinc Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Zinc Moderate
- Cefalexin + Zinc Moderate
- Ciprofloxacin + Zinc Moderate
- Delafloxacin + Zinc Moderate
- Dolutegravir + Zinc Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Raltegravir with Zinc?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Raltegravir and Zinc 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. Zinc may bind raltegravir in the gut, although this chelation is less prominent than with aluminum or magnesium antacids or calcium. Reduced absorption could lower antiviral efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Raltegravir and Zinc?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Take raltegravir at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after zinc-containing products, and monitor HIV viral load.
What other medicines interact with Raltegravir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Raltegravir with, for example, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium carbonate, Aluminum hydroxide / magnesium trisilicate. The full list is on the Raltegravir page.
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