Magnesium and zinc are two important minerals that are often taken as supplements. However, they can have serious interactions with other medications that are prescribed by your doctor. The best source of information about your medications is your doctor or your pharmacist. They know how drugs and supplements interact with each other and can advise you what medications you need to take. Before changing any medications or taking any new supplements, ask your doctor first.
Magnesium Uses
Magnesium is used in over 300 functions in the body. It helps in the production of energy, assists in the creation of essential materials such as DNA and enzymes, makes up part of bone and is important to cell transport and signaling. Low magnesium is rare because it is abundant in foods, but diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney disease, alcoholism and old age can cause a deficiency. Some symptoms are agitation, restless legs, abnormal heart rhythms, insomnia and seizures.
Magnesium and Other Medications
When taking magnesium, it is important to know how it will interact with other medications you are also taking. Magnesium interferes with the absorption of quinolone and tetracycline antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. Take magnesium one hour before or two hours after these medications. The side effects of calcium channel blockers, such as cardizem, are made worse by magnesium supplements. Magnesium might increase the absorption of glipizide or glyburide used for diabetes, and low magnesium in the blood can have a negative impact on digoxin. Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, and thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, lower the serum magnesium level. Levothyroxine is less effective when taken with magnesium containing antacids, and magnesium interferes when taken at the same time as alendronate.
Zinc Uses
Zinc is a trace element that is essential to get from your diet. It is important to the body in the immune system, blood clotting, insulin functioning, thyroid functioning and growth. Too much zinc can produce a copper deficiency, so you should take a copper supplement if you decide to supplement zinc. Zinc is also studied as an antioxidant, which means it is used by the body to neutralize toxins known as free radicals. Zinc deficiency is rare, but some symptoms are loss of appetite, stunted growth, weight loss, non-healing wounds and night blindness.
Zinc and Other Medications
In addition to interacting with copper, zinc can have an impact on other medications you might take. Amiloride increases the amount of zinc in your blood and can cause toxicity if you take a supplement. Beta-blockers, such as captopril, can decrease the amount of zinc in your blood and may require zinc supplements. Zinc decreases the absorption of some types of antibiotics, such as quinolones and tetracyclines. Antibiotics in these groups include ciprofloxacin and tetracycline. Cisplatin, which is used to treat cancer, might decrease zinc levels, and drugs that lower your immune system might work against zinc's immune-boosting properties. Zinc also reduces the effectiveness of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Finally, thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, decrease the amount of zinc in your blood.
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