Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Sucralfate
Severity: Major
Ciprofloxacin and Sucralfate: major 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 sucralfate contains aluminum that chelates ciprofloxacin in the gut and markedly reduces its absorption. This can lower antibiotic levels enough to cause treatment failure and promote resistance.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Sucralfate can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Ciprofloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Sucralfate belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation of ciprofloxacin by aluminum in sucralfate, and possibly adsorption, reduces gastrointestinal absorption.
What to do
Give ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after sucralfate. Where timing cannot be arranged, use a non-interacting antibiotic.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Sucralfate
- Gemifloxacin + Sucralfate Major
- Levofloxacin + Sucralfate Major
- Moxifloxacin + Sucralfate Major
- Nalidixic Acid + Sucralfate Major
- Ofloxacin + Sucralfate Major
- Bictegravir + Sucralfate 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 Sucralfate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Ciprofloxacin and Sucralfate can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Oral sucralfate contains aluminum that chelates ciprofloxacin in the gut and markedly reduces its absorption. This can lower antibiotic levels enough to cause treatment failure and promote resistance.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Sucralfate?
MediHelp rates it major, 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 sucralfate. Where timing cannot be arranged, use a non-interacting antibiotic.
What other medicines interact with Sucralfate?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Sucralfate with, for example, Gemifloxacin, Levofloxacin, Moxifloxacin. The full list is on the Sucralfate page.
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