Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Polysaccharide iron
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin and Polysaccharide 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 forms chelates with ciprofloxacin in the gut and markedly reduces its absorption. This can lead to subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Polysaccharide 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.
Why it happens
Chelation of ciprofloxacin by polyvalent iron cations in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after the iron preparation. Consider an alternative antibiotic if the dosing interval cannot be maintained.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ciprofloxacin with Polysaccharide iron?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin and Polysaccharide 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 forms chelates with ciprofloxacin in the gut and markedly reduces its absorption. This can lead to subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Polysaccharide 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 the iron preparation. Consider an alternative antibiotic if the dosing interval cannot be maintained.
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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