What happens when tetracycline is taken with calcium?

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Study for the Pharmaceutics Xenobiotics Across Bio Membrane Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each providing hints and explanations. Get ready for your pharmacy exam!

Multiple Choice

What happens when tetracycline is taken with calcium?

Explanation:
Calcium in the gut binds to tetracycline, forming a chelated complex that is poorly absorbed. This reduces the drug’s oral bioavailability, so plasma levels drop and the therapeutic effect can be diminished. That’s why the best choice states that a non-absorbable complex forms, lowering absorption and the therapeutic effect. In practice, separate dosing from calcium-containing foods or supplements (commonly a couple of hours before or after) to avoid this interaction. The other options are not correct because calcium does not increase absorption, have no effect, or enhance the effect.

Calcium in the gut binds to tetracycline, forming a chelated complex that is poorly absorbed. This reduces the drug’s oral bioavailability, so plasma levels drop and the therapeutic effect can be diminished. That’s why the best choice states that a non-absorbable complex forms, lowering absorption and the therapeutic effect. In practice, separate dosing from calcium-containing foods or supplements (commonly a couple of hours before or after) to avoid this interaction. The other options are not correct because calcium does not increase absorption, have no effect, or enhance the effect.

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