dave@cylixd.UUCP (Dave Kirby) (02/19/86)
On many antacids I see the warning "Do not take if you are currently taking any prescription medication containing any form of tetracycline." What are the side effects from disregarding this warning and taking the two together? ----------------------------------------------------------------- Dave Kirby ( ...!ihnp4!akgub!cylixd!dave)
stu16@whuxl.UUCP (Pippin) (02/19/86)
> > On many antacids I see the warning "Do not take if you are currently > taking any prescription medication containing any form of tetracycline." > > What are the side effects from disregarding this warning and taking > the two together? I was told by my MD that the reason for this warning is because the antacids inhibits the action of tetracyline. As far as he knew, there were no side effects, per se. Just that the antibiotic would not have much effect on whatever it was precribed for. I think it's much the same for some other antibiotics as well. But it's ok to take the antacid 2 hrs before or after the antibiotic. -- Pippin Stuart whuxl!stu16
dyer@harvard.UUCP (Steve Dyer) (02/21/86)
Tetracyclines chelate calcium and other metal ions like magnesium and aluminum forming an insoluble complex which is not absorbed by the gut. By drinking milk or other calcium-containing dairy products or by taking antacids such as Maalox, you effectively lower the dosage of antibiotic (if not remove it entirely.) Thus, the combination isn't toxic, but it may be dangerous, since, presumably you're taking the antibiotic for a reason. -- /Steve Dyer dyer@harvard.harvard.edu harvard!dyer
kasey@trsvax (02/26/86)
>On many antacids I see the warning "Do not take if you are currently >taking any prescription medication containing any form of tetracycline." >What are the side effects from disregarding this warning and taking >the two together? Antacids contain a high concentration of calcium. So much so, in fact that many woman take antacids to prevent osteoporosis (sp?). Calcium prevents tetracycline from performing its antibiotic duties. So you are wasting your money on the antibiotic if you take antacids with them. Not to metion the fact that you aren't curing whatever it is you need the antibiotic for. There are no other side effects. There should be a warning label on the side of the tetracycline bottle warning you not to take it with milk products or iron. My father takes tetracycline for emphysema. He also needs a daily calcium supplement. I give him his antibiotic in the moring and his calcium at night. I understand that it is best to take calcium supplements just before retiring for the evening anyway. It helps you sleep better because of its relaxing effects and it is absorbed better. I'm not a doctor. And this should not be construed as medical advice. I just subscribe to Prevention!
werner@aecom.UUCP (Craig Werner) (02/26/86)
>> >> On many antacids I see the warning "Do not take if you are currently >> taking any prescription medication containing any form of tetracycline." >> >> What are the side effects from disregarding this warning and taking >> the two together? > Also the warning on Tetraycline: Do not take with anything containing Calcium. It's very simple. Tetracycline chelates Calcium, the chelate is not absorbed. The tetracycline is excreted in the feces. Result: no antibiotic in the body. Presumably, one is taking Tetracycline for its antibacterial effect, an effect that requires it to get into the body in the first place. NB: This is not considered a 'Side Effect'. This is a 'Drug Interaction'. Further note: it was recently shown that Antacids(and for that matter Cimetidine) do no better than a Sugar pill placebo to releive chronic ingestion. Of course, it could be argued (and was duly noted) that those people enrolled in the study probably went to the doctor in the first place becausetheir home remedies didn't work. Second Note: If you are taking the antacid as a Calcium supplement, there is to date no evidence that calcium supplements actually delay the development of Osteoporosis -- just very good reasoning to think that it should. Hence, for the duration of the Tetracycline, give up the Antacid - it's not worth it. -- Craig Werner !philabs!aecom!werner "It doesn't even have to be a Pelvis."
dyer@spdcc.UUCP (Steve Dyer) (02/27/86)
> Further note: it was recently shown that Antacids (and for that >matter Cimetidine) do no better than a Sugar pill placebo to releive >chronic ingestion. Of course, it could be argued (and was duly noted) that >those people enrolled in the study probably went to the doctor in the >first place because their home remedies didn't work. This was reported recently in the NEJM. Chronic indigestion (a rather diffuse and non-specific condition) should be differentiated from ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, and other situations associated with excessive acid secretion, for which cimetidine and antacids are generally helpful. It just happens that "indigestion" isn't always due to stomach acid. -- Steve Dyer dyer@harvard.HARVARD.EDU {bbncca,bbnccv,harvard}!spdcc!dyer