Drug interactions
Calcium gluconate + Ciprofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Calcium gluconate 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
Oral calcium gluconate can bind ciprofloxacin in the intestine and diminish its absorption. This may reduce antibacterial efficacy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Calcium gluconate 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 gluconate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Ciprofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of ciprofloxacin by divalent calcium in the gastrointestinal tract forms poorly absorbed complexes.
What to do
Take oral ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after oral calcium gluconate. Intravenous calcium gluconate does not need this separation.
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 Calcium gluconate
- Calcium gluconate + Ceftriaxone Contraindicated
- Calcium gluconate + Digoxin Major
- Alendronate + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-atorvastatin + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Calcium gluconate Moderate
- Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Calcium gluconate Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Calcium gluconate with Ciprofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Calcium gluconate 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. Oral calcium gluconate can bind ciprofloxacin in the intestine and diminish its absorption. This may reduce antibacterial efficacy.
How serious is the interaction between Calcium gluconate 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: Take oral ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after oral calcium gluconate. Intravenous calcium gluconate does not need this separation.
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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