Cipro with antibiotics: interactions and safety
Antibiotic courses are common, short-term and often combined with chronic medications such as Cipro (Ciprofloxacin). Most antibiotics do not interfere meaningfully with Ciprofloxacin at 250mg, 500mg, 750mg, but a few classes do, and a small number of combinations are best avoided.
Common antibiotic interactions
Macrolides (clarithromycin, erythromycin) and certain antifungals can inhibit hepatic metabolism (CYP3A4) and raise plasma levels of many medications including some Antibiotics agents. Rifampicin has the opposite effect, accelerating metabolism. Most penicillins, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones and tetracyclines have no clinically meaningful interaction with Ciprofloxacin at 250mg, 500mg, 750mg.
Practical guidance
According to the prescribing information for Ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic course should be reviewed by the prescriber or pharmacist for known interactions before Cipro is co-administered. Adjusted 250mg, 500mg, 750mg dosing or temporary substitution is sometimes preferred for the duration of the antibiotic course.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cipro during an antibiotic course? ▾
For most common antibiotics, yes. A few classes — notably macrolides and azole antifungals — alter how Ciprofloxacin is metabolised and may need a temporary 250mg, 500mg, 750mg adjustment. The prescribing pharmacist should review any new antibiotic against the existing Cipro regimen.
Will antibiotics make Cipro stop working? ▾
Most antibiotics do not affect Cipro efficacy. Rifampicin and a few others can lower Ciprofloxacin levels and reduce effect; in those cases the prescriber may adjust the dose during and shortly after the antibiotic course.
More on Cipro
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