Drug interactions
Carbonyl iron + Ciprofloxacin
Severity: Moderate
Carbonyl iron 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
Iron binds oral ciprofloxacin in the gut and markedly reduces its absorption. This can lead to subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Carbonyl iron 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.
Carbonyl iron belongs to Miscellaneous; Ciprofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial.
Why it happens
Chelation of ciprofloxacin by polyvalent iron cations in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give oral ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after iron. If separation is not feasible, hold iron during the antibiotic course.
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 Carbonyl iron
- Aluminum hydroxide + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Calcium + Carbonyl iron Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Carbonyl iron Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Carbonyl iron with Ciprofloxacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbonyl iron 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. Iron binds oral ciprofloxacin in the gut and markedly reduces its absorption. This can lead to subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Carbonyl iron 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: Give oral ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after iron. If separation is not feasible, hold iron during the antibiotic course.
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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