What should patients be advised against when taking quinolones?

When taking quinolones, it's important to advise patients against taking them with antacids or iron supplements because these substances can interfere with the absorption of the medication. Quinolones, which are a class of antibiotics, require proper absorption in the gastrointestinal tract to achieve effective serum levels and therapeutic outcomes. Antacids containing magnesium, aluminum, or calcium, as well as iron supplements, can bind to quinolones, significantly reducing their bioavailability. This decreased absorption can lead to subtherapeutic levels of the antibiotic in the bloodstream, potentially allowing for treatment failure or the persistence of the infection.

Patients should be advised to separate the administration of these products from the quinolone dose by at least two hours before or after taking the antibiotic to ensure effective treatment. This advice is critical for achieving the best therapeutic efficacy from the quinolone being prescribed.