ModerateFluoroquinolone antibacterials×Mineral supplements. Trace elements
Updated · Methodology
Mechanism
NIH ODS lists quinolone antibiotics among the drugs zinc interacts with, through the same chelation mechanism as the other divalent cations. The described magnitude is smaller than with calcium or iron, though the direction is the same both ways: the quinolone drops and so does zinc.
Symptoms
No symptoms of its own. It shows as reduced antibiotic efficacy over longer courses.
Management
During the course, keep zinc away from the antibiotic on the same basis as the other minerals. For week-long courses many patients prefer to pause zinc and resume afterwards, which is reasonable unless there is a specific indication.
Check the full regimen, not just this pair
Opens the checker with these two drugs prefilled. Add the rest of the regimen and recompute additive risks.
Summary of a multi-drug list →
Medicine list: everything you take in one place →
Sources
- AEMPS: Ficha técnica Ciprofloxacino Cinfa 250 mg comprimidos recubiertos EFG (2024)– AEMPS, CIMA, nº registro 62768, sección 4.5
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Zinc – Health Professional Fact Sheet (2025)– NIH ODS, Zinc, Health Risks from Excessive Zinc