Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Ferric maltol
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin and Ferric maltol: 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 from ferric maltol can chelate oral ciprofloxacin and reduce its absorption substantially. This may lead to inadequate antibiotic exposure and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Ferric maltol 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 maltol belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Chelation of ciprofloxacin by iron in the gastrointestinal tract forms poorly absorbed complexes.
What to do
Take ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after ferric maltol. Consider pausing iron during short antibiotic courses if feasible.
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 maltol
- Aluminum hydroxide + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Calcium + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Carbidopa-entacapone-levodopa + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Ferric maltol Moderate
- Cimetidine + Ferric maltol Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ciprofloxacin with Ferric maltol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin and Ferric maltol 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 from ferric maltol can chelate oral ciprofloxacin and reduce its absorption substantially. This may lead to inadequate antibiotic exposure and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Ferric maltol?
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 ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after ferric maltol. Consider pausing iron during short antibiotic courses if feasible.
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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