Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Efavirenz
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin and Efavirenz: 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
Efavirenz can prolong the QT interval, particularly at higher exposures, and ciprofloxacin may add a small further effect. The combination may modestly raise the risk of torsades de pointes in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Efavirenz 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 belongs to Anti Bacterial; Efavirenz belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization through potassium channel inhibition.
What to do
Correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia and consider an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors or other QT-prolonging drugs. Choose an alternative antibiotic if the QTc is already prolonged.
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 Efavirenz
- Cobimetinib + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dienogest / estradiol valerate + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Efavirenz + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ciprofloxacin with Efavirenz?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin and Efavirenz 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. Efavirenz can prolong the QT interval, particularly at higher exposures, and ciprofloxacin may add a small further effect. The combination may modestly raise the risk of torsades de pointes in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Efavirenz?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia and consider an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors or other QT-prolonging drugs. Choose an alternative antibiotic if the QTc is already prolonged.
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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