Drug interactions
Ciprofloxacin + Zinc
Severity: Moderate
Ciprofloxacin and Zinc: 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
Zinc binds ciprofloxacin in the gut and markedly reduces its absorption, which can lead to subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ciprofloxacin and Zinc 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; Zinc belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Chelation of ciprofloxacin by divalent zinc cations in the gastrointestinal tract, forming poorly absorbed complexes.
What to do
Give ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after zinc-containing products. Counsel patients about multivitamins and mineral supplements.
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 Zinc
- Alendronate + Zinc Moderate
- Baloxavir marboxil + Zinc Moderate
- Cefalexin + Zinc Moderate
- Delafloxacin + Zinc Moderate
- Dolutegravir + Zinc Moderate
- Doxycycline + Zinc Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ciprofloxacin with Zinc?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ciprofloxacin and Zinc 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. Zinc binds ciprofloxacin in the gut and markedly reduces its absorption, which can lead to subtherapeutic antibiotic levels and treatment failure.
How serious is the interaction between Ciprofloxacin and Zinc?
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 zinc-containing products. Counsel patients about multivitamins and mineral supplements.
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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