What kind of interaction is it?

Timing-sensitive: the two substances can be taken on the same day but should be separated by a minimum time window.

Is this interaction backed by published research?

Yes. NutriStack lists 2 citation rows for the Cefuroxime + Iron pair, each linking to PubMed by PMID where available. Full sourcing methodology at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/interactions.

Supplement × Prescription·timing-sensitive·Emerging evidence

Cefuroxime + Iron

Q: Can I take Cefuroxime and Iron together?

Yes, if you separate them in time. Cefuroxime and Iron have a documented timing-sensitive interaction. Oral iron salts can form insoluble chelates with cephalosporin antibiotics and may also raise gastric pH, both of which can reduce the absorption and serum concentrations of cefuroxime axetil. Cefuroxime axetil absorption is favored by an acidic environment and by being taken with food; concomitant polyvalent cations and acid-altering products may blunt its bioavailability.

Q: How does this affect a NutriStack Stack Score?

-5 to your Stack Score per scored timing-sensitive row.

Timing Sensitive Emerging evidence

Oral iron salts can form insoluble chelates with cephalosporin antibiotics and may also raise gastric pH, both of which can reduce the absorption and serum concentrations of cefuroxime axetil. Cefuroxime axetil absorption is favored by an acidic environment and by being taken with food; concomitant polyvalent cations and acid-altering products may blunt its bioavailability.

Supplement × Prescription

Open the interaction checker → Read the methodology

From the database

What the row says.

Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, and the recommendation.

Substances

Cefuroxime and Iron

Pair type

Timing Sensitive

Evidence

Emerging

Source citations

Scope

Supplement × Prescription

Last verified

June 4, 2026

Timing SensitiveEmerging evidence

What is happening. Oral iron salts can form insoluble chelates with cephalosporin antibiotics and may also raise gastric pH, both of which can reduce the absorption and serum concentrations of cefuroxime axetil. Cefuroxime axetil absorption is favored by an acidic environment and by being taken with food; concomitant polyvalent cations and acid-altering products may blunt its bioavailability.

Mechanism. Divalent cation (Fe2+/Fe3+) chelation forming poorly absorbed complexes in the gut, plus reduced dissolution of the acid-favored cefuroxime axetil prodrug, lowering its oral bioavailability.

Recommendation. Separate oral iron from cefuroxime axetil by at least 2 to 3 hours, taking the antibiotic with food as directed. Do not stop a prescribed antibiotic; instead stagger the iron dose to preserve antibiotic efficacy.

Timing

Timing & separation.

Space the doses apart by at least this window to avoid the conflict.

Minimum separation

180

Stack Score

How it moves the number.

Effect on the composite score

If both Cefuroxime and Iron are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).

The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are at /methodology/stack-score.

Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Every claim on this page is cited. PMIDs link straight to PubMed.

Reference material

1Campbell NR, Hasinoff BB. Iron supplements: a common cause of drug interactions. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1991.Needs sourceNo link
2Williams DM, et al. Pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of cefuroxime axetil. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1990.Needs sourceNo link

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