:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/VWH-GettyImages-2220395194-f7037b2890e542f0a30d5f188b2f7b27.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1 "6 Types of Medications to Avoid Taking with Iron Supplements")
Key takeaways
- Iron can interact with common medications, including calcium-containing products, acid reducers, antibiotics, and thyroid medications.
- These medications may all reduce iron absorption or lose their effectiveness when taken together.
- Timing makes the difference. To avoid interactions, take iron on an empty stomach and separate it from other medications.
Although iron supplements are essential for treating low iron levels, taking them with certain medications can reduce their effectiveness and even make other medications less effective.
1. Medicines containing calcium
Calcium-containing medications, such as antacids, may decrease the body’s absorption of iron when taken at the same time. This also applies to calcium supplements.
How to prevent this interaction: Avoid taking them or separate them by two hours.
2. Proton pump inhibitors
Taking iron supplements with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may impair iron absorption. PPIs help reduce excess stomach acid and treat conditions such as acid reflux. Examples include:
- Protonix (pantoprazole)
- Nexium (esomeprazole)
- Prilosec (omeprazole)
How to prevent this interaction: Avoid taking them together.
3. Histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RA)
Like PPIs, H2RAs are acid-reducing medications. Taken together, H2RAs may reduce iron absorption. Examples of H2RA:
- Pepcide (famotidine)
- Tagamet HB (cimetidine)
- AR axis (nizatidine)
How to prevent this interaction: Avoid taking them together.
4. Tetracycline Antibiotics
Taking iron supplements with tetracycline antibiotics can reduce the absorption of both, so it’s important to take precautions if you must take both. Tetracycline antibiotics include:
- Doxycycline
- Minocycline
- Tetracycline
How to prevent this interaction: Separate iron supplements and your dose of antibiotics by at least two hours.
5. Fluoroquinolones
Fluoroquinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics used to treat various bacterial infections. Iron can reduce the potency (strength) of these antibiotics, potentially making them less effective. Examples of fluoroquinolones include:
- Ciprofloxacin
- Levofloxacin
- Moxifloxacin
How to prevent this interaction: Separate your doses by at least two hours.
6. Thyroid Medications
Iron may reduce the absorption of the thyroid medication levothyroxine. Levothyroxine is used to treat an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) and certain types of thyroid cancer.
How to prevent this interaction: Separate your doses by at least four hours.
Who is most likely to experience iron interactions?
The risk of drug interactions with iron supplements is higher in certain populations:
- Elderly people and people with chronic illnesses are at high risk because they frequently use medications like PPIs, H2RAs, antacids, and calcium supplements. These medications can significantly decrease iron absorption, increasing the risk of iron deficiency anemia with long-term use.
- Women of childbearing age and pregnant women are also at greater risk due to their increased iron requirements and common use of dietary inhibitors like tea or coffee.
- People with gastrointestinal disorders like celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease, iron absorption may be impaired. This may result in an inadequate response to oral iron.
In these populations, failure to recognize and manage drug interactions can lead to persistent iron deficiency and an increased need for interventions.
How to Take Iron Supplements Safely
Interactions with iron do not usually cause dangerous side effects, but they can lead to ineffective treatment or persistent symptoms related to underlying conditions.
You can help reduce interactions with iron supplements by:
- Take them on an empty stomach
- Separate iron from medications by a few hours or use as directed by a healthcare professional
- Avoid taking iron with dairy or caffeine
- Take them with vitamin C to promote better iron absorption
- Have your levels monitored regularly
You may not absorb your iron supplement effectively if there is a drug interaction. Tell your doctor if you start experiencing symptoms of low iron, such as:
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Restless legs syndrome
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
Symptoms may be subtle or absent, especially in cases of early or mild iron deficiency. It is important to monitor your iron levels regularly if you use iron supplements.
Always check with your healthcare professional before taking multiple supplements at the same time.
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