Dairy products, antacids, and iron preparations prevent some medications from being properly absorbed into the body. If the medication is not properly absorbed, it may be less effective. Medications that are affected this way include:
- Certain antibiotics (tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin)
- Certain medications used to treat osteoporosis (etidronate, risedronate)
Dairy products, antacids, and iron preparations include:
- Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream): These products contain large amounts of calcium, which can react with some medications and prevent them from being absorbed into the body.
- Calcium supplements: Calcium (e.g., calcium carbonate, calcium gluconate, calcium citrate) can be found in multi-vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and prescription medications. Calcium can react with some medications and prevent them from being absorbed into the body.
- Iron-containing products: Iron (e.g., ferrous sulfate, ferrous gluconate, ferrous fumarate) may be found in multi-vitamins and over-the-counter medications. Like calcium, it can react with some medications and prevent them from being absorbed into the body.
- Antacids: These products usually contain either calcium, aluminum, or magnesium. Any of these can interact with some medications and prevent them from being absorbed into the body.
Other medications may also interact with dairy products, iron, and antacids. Check with your pharmacist to find out whether this is true for your medication. These interactions can usually be managed by leaving a few hours before or after taking or eating the product with the affected medication(s). Ask your health care provider for more details about how to take your medications to reduce drug interactions.
