Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin: what the research found
PubMed indexes 8 records that name Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin together, either in the title or in an interaction, co-administration, or pharmacokinetic context. The key findings come first, in the authors’ own words, followed by every study with its design and PubMed link.
A summary of published research, not medical advice. A pharmacist can check any combination against your full list of medicines and supplements.
Reviews and human studies first. Each quote is the authors’ own conclusion about their study, not a NutriStack assessment, and a single study is not a consensus.
“It is therefore recommended that patients being treated with ciprofloxacin for serious infections refrain from ingesting calcium supplements. If this is not possible, administration of ciprofloxacin 2 h before ingestion of the supplement is suggested.”
“Urinary recovery of Cipro in the aluminum hydroxide treatment group was approximately one-fourth of that in the calcium carbonate group. Although calcium carbonate decreased absorption to a lesser extent than aluminum hydroxide, these data suggest that antacids containing either aluminum or calcium should not be given concomitantly with Cipro.”
“The solid phase generated in the presence of calcium carbonate was identified as hydrated ciprofloxacin base. Similarly to iron, a new complex consistent with Zn(SO4)2(Cl)2(ciprofloxacin)2 × nH2O stoichiometry was generated in the presence of relatively high concentrations of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and zinc sulphate, indicating that small volume dissolution experiments can be useful for biorelevant…”
The research
8 studies naming Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin.
Strongest relevance first: papers naming both substances in the title, then human trials and systematic reviews.
Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy · 1992 · PMID 1503446
Clinical TrialRandomized Controlled Trial
“Urinary recovery of Cipro in the aluminum hydroxide treatment group was approximately one-fourth of that in the calcium carbonate group. Although calcium carbonate decreased absorption to a lesser extent than aluminum hydroxide, these data suggest that antacids containing either aluminum or calcium should not be given concomitantly with Cipro.”
Names both Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin in its title.
International journal of molecular sciences · 2016 · PMID 27213349
Animal study
“Study of biocompatability established the cytocompatability of the delivery system without upregulation of IL-1β. The results indicated that ciprofloxacin-nanoparticles enhanced the antibacterial efficacy of the antibiotic, and could act as a suitable delivery system against intracellular infections.”
Names both Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin in its title.
British journal of clinical pharmacology · 1993 · PMID 8471407
Human subjects
“It is therefore recommended that patients being treated with ciprofloxacin for serious infections refrain from ingesting calcium supplements. If this is not possible, administration of ciprofloxacin 2 h before ingestion of the supplement is suggested.”
Names both Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin in its title.
Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia) · 2014 · PMID 24670353
Comparative Study
“The solid phase generated in the presence of calcium carbonate was identified as hydrated ciprofloxacin base. Similarly to iron, a new complex consistent with Zn(SO4)2(Cl)2(ciprofloxacin)2 × nH2O stoichiometry was generated in the presence of relatively high concentrations of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride and zinc sulphate, indicating that small volume dissolution experiments can be useful for biorelevant dissolution tests.”
Names Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin together in an interaction, co-administration, or pharmacokinetic context.
Nigerian quarterly journal of hospital medicine · 2007 · PMID 17688173
Randomized Controlled Trial
“We conclude that the absorption of ciprofloxacin can be reduced by concomitant ingestion of the juice containing calcium carbonate and grape. Therefore to avoid drug therapeutic failures and subsequent bacterial resistance as a result of subtherapeutic level of the drug in the systemic circulation, ingestion of the juice with ciprofloxacin should be discouraged.”
Names Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin together in an interaction, co-administration, or pharmacokinetic context.
“The relative oral bioavailability of ciprofloxacin is significantly decreased when administered with sevelamer hydrochloride or calcium acetate. Concomitant administration of these drugs may decrease clinical efficacy and promote bacterial resistance to ciprofloxacin.”
Names Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin together in an interaction, co-administration, or pharmacokinetic context.
Limitations
What this evidence cannot tell you.
Search-based evidence indexes have real limits, and it is worth being explicit about them:
Selection. These records were found by searching PubMed titles and abstracts for both substance names alongside interaction and pharmacokinetic terms. Relevant work that phrases things differently, or is not indexed in PubMed, will be missing.
No effect size. The quoted conclusions are the authors’ words about their own study. We have not extracted effect direction or magnitude, and a single study’s conclusion is not a consensus.
Population mismatch. Findings in healthy volunteers, animals, or a specific patient group may not transfer to you, your dose, or your formulation.
Absence is not safety. Few published studies means the combination is under-studied, which is not the same as established as safe.
How to read this page
A literature summary, not guidance.
A study listed here is not proof that Calcium Carbonate and Ciprofloxacin interact. Two substances can be named together in a paper that never tested them in combination, and a source listed as background may cover only one of them.
Findings are quoted from each abstract as the authors wrote them. NutriStack has not re-analysed, pooled, or reconciled them, and they may disagree with each other.
Decisions about prescription medication and supplements belong with your prescriber or pharmacist, who can see your full regimen. Our timing guide and forms guide explain the general mechanisms.
NutriStack
Track what you actually take.
NutriStack is a free iPhone app for organising a supplement routine: what you take, when, and what the published record says about it. Its exploratory interaction checker covers Calcium Carbonate, Ciprofloxacin, and several hundred other substances.
Log your routine, get reminders at the times you choose, and scan a label to add a product. The checker is a research and organisation tool, not a clinical decision aid.
NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
