Dandelion and Ofloxacin: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Ofloxacin
Dandelion
No brand names on record
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Decreased fluoroquinolone effectiveness
Interaction Deep Dive
Asian dandelion reduced oral absorption of ciprofloxacin in rats1. Other fluoroquinolones may be similarly affected. Asian dandelion extract was found to contain magnesium, calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, and copper 2. Fluoroquinolones are capable of forming chelate complexes with metal ions, resulting in reduced bioavailability of the antibiotic with the potential of antibiotic treatment failure. High doses of Asian dandelion decoction, and possibly common dandelion leaf in equivalent amounts, may provide sufficient mineral content to interfere with quinolone antibiotic absorption.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Cation content of Asian dandelion may chelate the fluoroquinolone and impair absorption
Literature reports
3 reports — tap to read
a) In rats dosed orally with an aqueous extract of Asian dandelion (Taraxacum mongolicum) 2 gram/kilogram, followed by an oral dose of ciprofloxacin (20 milligrams/kilogram (mg/kg)), ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics were altered. Blood samples were taken every 30 minutes for 6 hours after dosing, and urine samples were collected over 24 hours. The plasma concentration-time data of ciprofloxacin were assessed by noncompartmental analysis. Maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) of ciprofloxacin was lowered by 73% from 1.31 milligrams/liter (mg/L) to 0.35 mg/L (p less than 0.005) with Tmax slightly prolonged by 16% (p less than 0.05) from 0.42 hours to 0.50 hours, suggesting reduced oral absorption of ciprofloxacin. Apparent drug distribution volume and terminal elimination half-life were increased 3-fold (p less than 0.005). Area under the curve (AUC) was not significantly different between Asian dandelion treatment and control. Relative bioavailability of ciprofloxacin as compared to control was estimated to be 0.96. However, the secondary effects on drug distribution and elimination induced by Asian dandelion may have complicated the estimator used for bioavailability 1.
b) Asian dandelion (T. mongolicum) extract was found to contain large amounts of cations including magnesium 5800 mcg/gram, calcium 4900 mcg/gram, iron 2300 mcg/gram, manganese 100 mcg/gram, zinc 60 mcg /gram, and copper 20 mcg/gram 1. The mineral content of Taraxacum officinale (common dandelion) leaves (converted to mcg/g) is: magnesium 1500 mcg/g, calcium 9600 mcg/g, iron 520 mcg/g, manganese 45 mcg/g, zinc 43 mcg/g, and copper 12 mcg/g. This is approximately one fourth the amount of magnesium and iron as is found in the T. mongolicum plant, one half the manganese, two thirds the amount of zinc, equivalent copper, and 2 times the calcium in comparison to T. mongolicum: magnesium 5760 mcg/g, calcium 4941 mcg/g, iron 2311 mcg/g, manganese 111.3 mcg/g, zinc 62.4 mcg/g, and copper 15.3 mcg/g. T. mongolicum plant has 13,200 mcg/g compared to 11,720 mcg/g for T. officinale leaves for these minerals alone 2.
c) Asian dandelion extract was found to contain large amounts of cations including magnesium 5800 mcg/gram, calcium 4900 mcg/gram, iron 2300 mcg/gram, manganese 100 mcg/gram, zinc 60 mcg /gram, and copper 20 mcg/gram 1.
Common questions
Can I take Dandelion and Ofloxacin together?
Decreased fluoroquinolone effectiveness Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Dandelion and Ofloxacin interaction?
It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "rapid". Effects can appear quickly, often within about 24 hours of combining the drugs.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Dandelion or Ofloxacin need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?
References (2)
- Zhu M, Wong PY, & Li RC: Effects of Taraxacum mongolicum on the bioavailability and disposition of ciprofloxacin in rats. J Pharmaceutical Sci 1999; 88(6):632-634. DOI
- Hobbs C: Taraxacum officinale: A monograph and literature review In: Hobbs C: Alstat EL: Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics, 1st. Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR, 1989, pp 6-189.
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