Drug interactions
Calcium citrate + Ciprofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Calcium citrate 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
Calcium citrate supplements taken with oral ciprofloxacin reduce the quinolone's absorption. The result can be subtherapeutic antibiotic exposure and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium citrate 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.
Why it happens
Chelation of ciprofloxacin by calcium in the gut lumen reduces its bioavailability.
What to do
Administer ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after calcium citrate. Consider holding the supplement during short antibiotic courses.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium citrate with Ciprofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium citrate 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. Calcium citrate supplements taken with oral ciprofloxacin reduce the quinolone's absorption. The result can be subtherapeutic antibiotic exposure and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium citrate 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: Administer ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after calcium citrate. Consider holding the supplement during short antibiotic courses.
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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