NutriStack
Ciprofloxacin and Zinc Carnosine, timing-sensitive.
Zinc carnosine releases Zn2+ in the gut that chelates ciprofloxacin and reduces its absorption. The bioavailability reduction is sufficient to compromise antibiotic efficacy in serious infections.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
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What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Ciprofloxacin and Zinc Carnosine
- Pair type
- Timing Sensitive
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Strong
- Source citations
- 2 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Timing Sensitive · Strong evidence
Timing Sensitive
What is happening. Zinc carnosine releases Zn2+ in the gut that chelates ciprofloxacin and reduces its absorption. The bioavailability reduction is sufficient to compromise antibiotic efficacy in serious infections.
Mechanism. Zn2+ chelates the 3-carboxyl and 4-oxo groups on the fluoroquinolone core, forming nonabsorbable complexes in the intestinal lumen.
Recommendation. Take ciprofloxacin at least 2 hours before or 6 hours after zinc carnosine. Do not co-administer.
Minimum separation. 360
Sources (2)
- Polk RE. Drug-drug interactions with ciprofloxacin and other fluoroquinolones. Am J Med. 1989;87(5A):76S-81S. PMID 2686430
- Wiesner A, Zagrodzki P, Gawalska A, Paśko P. Together or Apart? Revealing the Impact of Dietary Interventions on Bioavailability of Quinolones: A Systematic Review with Meta-analyses. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2024;63(6):773-818. PMID 38807006
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Ciprofloxacin and Zinc Carnosine are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored timing-sensitive row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
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