Zinc is a mineral and comes in vitamin and mineral supplements. Like many supplements, zinc can interact with certain medications. According to the National Institutes of Health, zinc is commonly used to boost the immune system and treat colds and respiratory infections. Zinc supplements and nasal sprays are promoted for use to shorten the duration of the common cold. However, when a cold turns into a bacterial infection and antibiotics are prescribed, there can be interactions between the two.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medications designed to fight bacterial infections and not common viruses such as the cold or flu. However, there are times when the common cold can become a bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection, respiratory infection, strep throat and bacterial pneumonia. When a condition becomes bacterial, your physician will prescribe antibiotics that will kill the bacteria or stop it from reproducing. This aids your body’s immune system in destroying the bacterial infection.
Quinolone Antibiotics
Quinolone antibiotics include medications such as ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, enoxacin, norfloxin and trovafloxacin. Common brand names include Cipro, Levaquin and Floxin. These antibiotics are commonly used to treat conditions such as sinus and urinary tract infections as well as anthrax. They work by killing the bacteria. Zinc, according to the National Institutes of Health, can affect how your body absorbs these medications and can reduce the effectiveness of them. The NIH recommends that you take your antibiotics at least two hours before or four to six hours after taking zinc supplements.
Tetracycline Antibiotics
Tetracyclines are used to treat bacterial infections such as pneumonia, respiratory tract infections, acne and infections of the stomach. These antibiotics work by preventing the bacteria from growing and the infection from spreading. Some common tetracycline medications include declomycin, minocin, achromycin and sumycin. Zinc has the ability to attach to these tetracycline medications when they are in your stomach and alter the amount that your body is able to absorb. This reduces the amount of medication that can get to the bacteria and reduces the effectiveness. As with quinolone antibiotics, take tetracycline antibiotics two hours before or four to six hours after taking any zinc supplements.
Considerations
Before your physician prescribes you any new medications such as antibiotics, let her know all of the medications and vitamin supplements you are taking to avoid possible interactions. If you are taking zinc supplements to help with your illness, make sure your physician is aware of this and can advise you on taking them together.
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