II. Definitions

  1. Charged elements that bind drugs in the intestinal tract and prevent absorption

III. Mechanism

  1. Multivalent cations bind medications and form insoluble complexes that cannot be absorbed across gut

IV. Causes: Cations

  1. Aluminum (e.g. amphojel)
  2. Magnesium (e.g. Magnesium Oxide, Magnesium Citrate)
  3. Aluminum-Magnesium Combinations (e.g. Maalox)
  4. Calcium (e.g. Tums)
  5. Iron (e.g. iron supplements)

V. Drug Interactions: Decreased Absorption when Cations present

VI. Management

  1. Administer medications 2 hours before or 6 hours after cation containing agents

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