Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Ferric citrate
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin and Ferric citrate: 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
Ferric iron binds ciprofloxacin in the gut and can lower its absorption, risking subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Ferric citrate 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; Ferric citrate belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Chelation of ciprofloxacin by ferric iron in the gastrointestinal tract reduces absorption.
What to do
Give oral ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or after ferric citrate. Monitor clinical response to the antibiotic.
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 Ferric citrate
- Deferiprone + Ferric citrate Moderate
- Doxycycline + Ferric citrate Moderate
- Ferric citrate + Gemifloxacin Moderate
- Ferric citrate + Levofloxacin Moderate
- Ferric citrate + Moxifloxacin Moderate
- Ferric citrate + Ofloxacin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ciprofloxacin with Ferric citrate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin and Ferric citrate 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. Ferric iron binds ciprofloxacin in the gut and can lower its absorption, risking subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Ferric citrate?
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 after ferric citrate. Monitor clinical response to the antibiotic.
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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