Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Iron
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin and Iron: 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
Oral iron salts bind ciprofloxacin in the gut and substantially reduce its absorption. This can lower antibiotic exposure and cause treatment failure or resistance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Iron 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; Iron belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation of the fluoroquinolone by polyvalent iron cations in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after oral iron. Intravenous iron does not cause this interaction.
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 Iron
- Acetohydroxamic acid + Iron Moderate
- Aluminum hydroxide + Iron Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Iron Moderate
- Calcium acetate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium carbonate + Iron Moderate
- Calcium citrate + Iron Moderate
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 Iron?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin and Iron 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. Oral iron salts bind ciprofloxacin in the gut and substantially reduce its absorption. This can lower antibiotic exposure and cause treatment failure or resistance.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Iron?
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 ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after oral iron. Intravenous iron does not cause this interaction.
What other medicines interact with Iron?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Iron with, for example, Acetohydroxamic acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Baloxavir marboxil. The full list is on the Iron page.
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