Does Ciprofloxacin Interact with Metronidazole?
Ciprofloxacin and Metronidazole have a minor drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. Serum concentrations of ciprofloxacin and metronidazole were not altered when given concomitantly. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Severity
- Minor
- Ciprofloxacin Class
- Fluoroquinolone Antibacterial
- Metronidazole Class
- Nitroimidazole Antimicrobial
- Management
- Generally manageable
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Ciprofloxacin and your doctor is considering prescribing Metronidazole (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider