Iron interactions

Iron chelates with several antibiotics and thyroid medicine, and stomach-acid reducers lower how much iron you absorb.

Iron has 26 documented interactions across the FDA labels and fact sheets we index: 2 major, 19 moderate, 5 minor, and 0 where a label reports no significant interaction. Each entry below quotes the sentence behind it. This vitamin and mineral page is a starting point, not a verdict for your situation.

Major interactions (2)

  • MethyldopaantihypertensiveMajor

    Coadministration of methyldopa with ferrous sulfate or ferrous gluconate is not recommended. (Methyldopa label, Drug interactions)

  • RisedronatebisphosphonateMajor

    Calcium supplements, antacids, magnesium-based supplements or laxatives, and iron preparations interfere with the absorption of Risedronate sodium delayed-release and should not be taken together. (Risedronate label, Drug interactions)

Moderate interactions (19)

  • AlendronatebisphosphonateModerate

    Iron binds these drugs in the gut and reduces their absorption; separate the doses. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • Carbidopa and levodopadopaminergic drugModerate

    Dopamine D2 receptor antagonists, isoniazid, iron salts, and high-protein diet may reduce the effectiveness of DUOPA ( 7.3 , 7.4 , 7.5 ) (Carbidopa and levodopa label, Drug interactions)

  • CefdinircephalosporinModerate

    Iron Supplements and Foods Fortified With Iron: Concomitant administration of cefdinir with a therapeutic iron supplement containing 60 mg of elemental iron (as FeSO 4 ) or vitamins supplemented with 10 mg of elemental iron reduced extent of absorption by 80% and 31%, respectively. (Cefdinir label, Drug interactions)

  • CiprofloxacinfluoroquinoloneModerate

    Iron binds these drugs in the gut and reduces their absorption; separate the doses. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • Dexlansoprazoleproton pump inhibitorModerate

    Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption (e.g., iron salts, erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, mycophenolate mofetil, ketoconazole/itraconazole) Clinical Impact: Dexlansoprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity. (Dexlansoprazole label, Drug interactions)

  • Doxycyclinetetracycline antibioticModerate

    Iron binds these drugs in the gut and reduces their absorption; separate the doses. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • Esomeprazoleproton pump inhibitorModerate

    Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption (e.g., iron salts, erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, mycophenolate mofetil, ketoconazole/itraconazole) Clinical Impact: Esomeprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity Intervention: Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF): Co-administration of omeprazole, of which esomeprazole… (Esomeprazole label, Drug interactions)

  • IbandronatebisphosphonateModerate

    Iron binds these drugs in the gut and reduces their absorption; separate the doses. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • Lansoprazoleproton pump inhibitorModerate

    Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption (e.g., iron salts, erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, mycophenolate mofetil, ketoconazole/itraconazole) Clinical Impact: Lansoprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity. (Lansoprazole label, Drug interactions)

  • LevofloxacinfluoroquinoloneModerate

    Iron binds these drugs in the gut and reduces their absorption; separate the doses. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • Levothyroxinethyroid hormoneModerate

    Iron reduces the absorption of these medicines; take them a few hours apart. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • Liothyroninethyroid hormoneModerate

    Iron reduces the absorption of these medicines; take them a few hours apart. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • Minocyclinetetracycline antibioticModerate

    Iron binds these drugs in the gut and reduces their absorption; separate the doses. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • MoxifloxacinfluoroquinoloneModerate

    Iron binds these drugs in the gut and reduces their absorption; separate the doses. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • OfloxacinfluoroquinoloneModerate

    Iron binds these drugs in the gut and reduces their absorption; separate the doses. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • Omeprazoleproton pump inhibitorModerate

    Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption (e.g., iron salts, erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, mycophenolate mofetil, ketoconazole/itraconazole) Clinical Impact: Omeprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity. (Omeprazole label, Drug interactions)

  • Pantoprazoleproton pump inhibitorModerate

    Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption (e.g., iron salts, erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, mycophenolate mofetil, ketoconazole/itraconazole) Clinical Impact: Pantoprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity. (Pantoprazole label, Drug interactions)

  • Rabeprazoleproton pump inhibitorModerate

    Drugs Dependent on Gastric pH for Absorption (e.g., iron salts, erlotinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, mycophenolate mofetil, ketoconazole, itraconazole) Clinical Impact: Rabeprazole can reduce the absorption of other drugs due to its effect on reducing intragastric acidity. (Rabeprazole label, Drug interactions)

  • Tetracyclinetetracycline antibioticModerate

    Iron binds these drugs in the gut and reduces their absorption; separate the doses. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

Minor mentions (5)

  • Bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamideantiretroviralMinor

    Oral medications or supplements containing polyvalent cations (e.g., Mg, Al, Ca, Fe): Calcium or iron supplements Cation-containing antacids or laxatives Sucralfate Buffered medications ↓ bictegravir Antacids containing Al/Mg : Take BIXLENVO at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking antacids containing Al/Mg. (Bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide label, Drug interactions)

  • CimetidineH2 blockerMinor

    Acid-reducing medicines lower stomach acid and can reduce the amount of iron absorbed from supplements and food. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • DolutegravirantiretroviralMinor

    Oral calcium or iron supplements, including multivitamins containing calcium or iron a ↓Dolutegravir When taken with food, TIVICAY and supplements or multivitamins containing calcium or iron can be taken at the same time. (Dolutegravir label, Drug interactions)

  • FamotidineH2 blockerMinor

    Acid-reducing medicines lower stomach acid and can reduce the amount of iron absorbed from supplements and food. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

  • NizatidineH2 blockerMinor

    Acid-reducing medicines lower stomach acid and can reduce the amount of iron absorbed from supplements and food. (NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Iron)

Check Iron against everything you take. Add your full list; every pair is checked at once.

Open in the checker

Not medical advice. Severity reflects the label's wording, not your circumstances. A "major" flag can be routine under supervision and a "minor" one can matter at high doses. Ask a pharmacist.