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From: dyer@harvard.UUCP (Steve Dyer)
Newsgroups: net.med
Subject: Re: Tetracycline and Antacids
Message-ID: <729@harvard.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 20-Feb-86 17:45:05 EST
Article-I.D.: harvard.729
Posted: Thu Feb 20 17:45:05 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 23-Feb-86 06:21:03 EST
References: <801@cylixd.UUCP>
Reply-To: dyer@spdcc.UUCP (Steve dyer)
Organization: Aiken Comp Lab, Harvard
Lines: 12

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