Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Magnesium oxide
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin and Magnesium oxide: 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
Magnesium oxide, an antacid and supplement, chelates oral ciprofloxacin and markedly reduces its absorption. This can result in inadequate antibiotic exposure and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Magnesium oxide 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; Magnesium oxide belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation of ciprofloxacin by magnesium cations in the gastrointestinal tract.
What to do
Give oral ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after magnesium oxide.
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 Magnesium oxide
- Chloroquine + Magnesium oxide Moderate
- Dolutegravir + Magnesium oxide Moderate
- Doxycycline + Magnesium oxide Moderate
- Eltrombopag + Magnesium oxide Moderate
- Gemifloxacin + Magnesium oxide Moderate
- Gentamicin + Magnesium oxide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ciprofloxacin with Magnesium oxide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin and Magnesium oxide 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. Magnesium oxide, an antacid and supplement, chelates oral ciprofloxacin and markedly reduces its absorption. This can result in inadequate antibiotic exposure and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Magnesium oxide?
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 6 hours after magnesium oxide.
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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