Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Indomethacin
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin and Indomethacin: 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
NSAIDs may enhance the seizure-provoking potential of fluoroquinolones. Case reports describe convulsions when the two are combined, especially at high doses or in patients with CNS disease or renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Indomethacin 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; Indomethacin belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Fluoroquinolones antagonize GABA-A receptors, and NSAIDs may potentiate this effect; the mechanism is not fully established.
What to do
Avoid the combination in patients with a seizure history or other risk factors and use the lowest effective ciprofloxacin dose; counsel patients to report tremor, confusion or seizures.
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 Indomethacin
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Indomethacin Major
- Acemetacin + Indomethacin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Indomethacin Major
- Alteplase + Indomethacin Major
Other interactions of Ciprofloxacin
- Agomelatine + Ciprofloxacin Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Tizanidine Contraindicated
- Ciprofloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Alosetron + Ciprofloxacin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ciprofloxacin with Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin and Indomethacin 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. NSAIDs may enhance the seizure-provoking potential of fluoroquinolones. Case reports describe convulsions when the two are combined, especially at high doses or in patients with CNS disease or renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid the combination in patients with a seizure history or other risk factors and use the lowest effective ciprofloxacin dose; counsel patients to report tremor, confusion or seizures.
What other medicines interact with Indomethacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Indomethacin with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Indomethacin page.
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