Ethambutol and Magaldrate: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Ethambutol
Magaldrate
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Decreased ethambutol serum concentrations
Interaction Deep Dive
In patients receiving treatment for tuberculosis (n=13), concomitant treatment with ethambutol and aluminum hydroxide-containing antacids reduced mean serum concentrations and urinary excretion of ethambutol by approximately 20% and 13%, respectively. Separate ethambutol and aluminum hydroxide-containing antacid administration by at least 4 hours1.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Reduced absorption of ethambutol
Common questions
Can I take Ethambutol and Magaldrate together?
Decreased ethambutol serum concentrations Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Ethambutol and Magaldrate interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Ethambutol or Magaldrate need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (1)
- Product Information: Myambutol(R), ethambutol hydrochloride. Lederle Pharmaceutical Division, Pearl River, NJ, 2003. DailyMed
Keep reading about Ethambutol
Keep reading about Magaldrate
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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