Drug Interactions between bismuth subcitrate potassium / metronidazole / tetracycline and ketoconazole

Consumption of alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol or propylene glycol during treatment with metroNIDAZOLE is not recommended. Doing so may occasionally trigger a reaction in some patients similar to the disulfiram reaction, which includes unpleasant effects such as flushing, throbbing in head and neck, throbbing headache, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, sweating, thirst, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, palpitation, low blood pressure, dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision, and confusion. Rarely, more severe reactions may include abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, heart failure, unconsciousness, convulsions, and even death. Patients treated with metroNIDAZOLE should continue to avoid using any products containing alcohol or propylene glycol for at least 3 days until after completion of therapy. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions on how to take this or other medications you are prescribed. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Do not take iron supplements, multivitamins, calcium supplements, antacids, or laxatives within 2 hours before or after taking tetracycline. These products can make tetracycline less effective in treating your infection. Do not take tetracycline with milk or other dairy products, unless your doctor has told you to. Dairy products can make it harder for your body to absorb the medication.

You should avoid the use of alcohol while being treated with ketoconazole. Ketoconazole may cause liver damage and using it with alcohol or products containing alcohol may increase that risk. In addition, consumption of alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol during treatment with ketoconazole may trigger a disulfiram-like reaction in some patients, with unpleasant symptoms such as flushing, palpitations, and nausea. Ketoconazole may be taken with or without food. You should avoid consumption of grapefruit, grapefruit juice, or any supplements that contain grapefruit extract during treatment with ketoconazole unless directed otherwise by your doctor. Grapefruit juice may increase the blood levels of ketoconazole. This may increase the risk and/or severity of side effects and liver problems. You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop signs and symptoms of liver damage during treatment with ketoconazole, such as joint pain or swelling, unusual bleeding or bruising, skin rash, itching, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, dark colored urine, light colored stools, and yellowing of the skin or eyes. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Iron can bind to tetracycline in the gastrointestinal tract, which may prevent their absorption into the bloodstream and possibly reduce their effectiveness. To avoid or minimize the interaction, iron-containing medications and tetracycline should preferably be taken at least three to four hours apart in most cases. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns, or if you have trouble separating the dosing times. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.