Drug interactions
Caffeine + Ciprofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Caffeine and Ciprofloxacin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Ciprofloxacin reduces the clearance of caffeine, prolonging its half-life and raising plasma concentrations. Patients may experience jitteriness, insomnia, tachycardia, palpitations or headache, particularly with high caffeine intake.
What this interaction means in plain words
Caffeine and Ciprofloxacin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Caffeine belongs to Miscellaneous; Ciprofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Ciprofloxacin inhibits CYP1A2, the main enzyme responsible for caffeine metabolism.
What to do
Advise patients to limit caffeinated drinks and products during ciprofloxacin therapy. Reassess if symptoms such as palpitations, tremor or insomnia occur.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Ciprofloxacin
- Agomelatine + Ciprofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Tizanidine Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Alosetron + Ciprofloxacin Major
Other interactions of Caffeine
- Caffeine + Ephedrine Major
- Caffeine + Fezolinetant Major
- Caffeine + Methylenedioxymethamphetamine Major
- Caffeine + Selegiline transdermal Major
- Adenosine + Caffeine Moderate
- Benzphetamine + Caffeine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Caffeine with Ciprofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Caffeine and Ciprofloxacin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Ciprofloxacin reduces the clearance of caffeine, prolonging its half-life and raising plasma concentrations. Patients may experience jitteriness, insomnia, tachycardia, palpitations or headache, particularly with high caffeine intake.
How serious is the interaction between Caffeine and Ciprofloxacin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise patients to limit caffeinated drinks and products during ciprofloxacin therapy. Reassess if symptoms such as palpitations, tremor or insomnia occur.
What other medicines interact with Ciprofloxacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ciprofloxacin with, for example, Agomelatine, Fezolinetant, Thioridazine. The full list is on the Ciprofloxacin page.
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