MODERATE — Monitor Closely
🟡 CAUTION — Calcium in dairy chelates ciprofloxacin, reducing absorption by 30-36%. Take ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after dairy.
Evidence level: STRONG
Dairy products significantly reduce ciprofloxacin absorption. Your antibiotic may not work if taken with milk, cheese, or yogurt.
Calcium in dairy chelates fluoroquinolone antibiotics, reducing ciprofloxacin absorption by up to 30-36% when taken with dairy. Can result in subtherapeutic antibiotic levels.
Do not consume any dairy products within 2 hours before or 6 hours after taking ciprofloxacin. This includes milk in coffee, cheese, yogurt, and calcium-fortified beverages.
Food timing is critical with antibiotics. Some (amoxicillin, doxycycline) are better absorbed with food. Others (most fluoroquinolones with dairy/calcium) must avoid specific foods. Dairy — check if it contains calcium, iron, or significant minerals, as these chelate with many antibiotics. Follow the label instructions for Ciprofloxacin precisely.
Higher risk for: those with liver or renal impairment, elderly, concurrent use of nephrotoxic or hepatotoxic drugs, history of C. difficile infection, or those on narrow therapeutic index medications (warfarin, digoxin).
Infection not improving, persistent or worsening fever, continued symptoms after 48-72 hours of antibiotic treatment.
No urgent need to discuss, but always keep your doctor informed of your full supplement and medication list. An up-to-date list helps them make the best treatment decisions.
Antibiotic interactions are often temporary (duration of treatment). Space supplements and probiotics 2-3 hours away from antibiotic doses. Ask your pharmacist if timing adjustments can reduce the interaction risk.
Dairy products significantly reduce ciprofloxacin absorption. Your antibiotic may not work if taken with milk, cheese, or yogurt.
Food timing is critical with antibiotics. Some (amoxicillin, doxycycline) are better absorbed with food. Others (most fluoroquinolones with dairy/calcium) must avoid specific foods. Dairy — check if it contains calcium, iron, or significant minerals, as these chelate with many antibiotics. Follow the label instructions for Ciprofloxacin precisely.
Infection not improving, persistent or worsening fever, continued symptoms after 48-72 hours of antibiotic treatment.
Antibiotic interactions are often temporary (duration of treatment). Space supplements and probiotics 2-3 hours away from antibiotic doses. Ask your pharmacist if timing adjustments can reduce the interaction risk.
No urgent need to discuss, but always keep your doctor informed of your full supplement and medication list. An up-to-date list helps them make the best treatment decisions.
Or browse the full interaction database (121,000+ pairs).