Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Tretinoin
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin and Tretinoin: 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
Both ciprofloxacin and tretinoin can cause photosensitivity, and combined use may increase the risk of sunburn-like skin reactions. Oral tretinoin may also, like quinolones, be associated with intracranial hypertension, further complicating combined use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Tretinoin 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; Tretinoin belongs to Dermatology.
Why it happens
Additive phototoxic effects of both drugs on the skin.
What to do
Advise strict sun avoidance and sunscreen use, and monitor for skin reactions. For oral tretinoin, also watch for headache and visual changes suggesting raised intracranial pressure.
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 Tretinoin
- Doxycycline + Tretinoin Major
- Minocycline + Tretinoin Major
- Omadacycline + Tretinoin Major
- Palovarotene + Tretinoin Major
- Sarecycline + Tretinoin Major
- Tetracycline + Tretinoin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ciprofloxacin with Tretinoin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin and Tretinoin 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. Both ciprofloxacin and tretinoin can cause photosensitivity, and combined use may increase the risk of sunburn-like skin reactions. Oral tretinoin may also, like quinolones, be associated with intracranial hypertension, further complicating combined use.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Tretinoin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise strict sun avoidance and sunscreen use, and monitor for skin reactions. For oral tretinoin, also watch for headache and visual changes suggesting raised intracranial pressure.
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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