Does Coconut Water Interact With Ciprofloxacin?

In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not coconut water interacts with ciprofloxacin.

Question

Hello! Can I drink coconut water while taking ciprofloxacin?

Asked by Jon On Jul 05, 2024

Answered by
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist Staff

Published Jul 07, 2024
Last updated Feb 03, 2025

Key points

  • Coconut water contains varying amounts of calcium, which can interact with ciprofloxacin by reducing its absorption, so it's recommended to separate their intake by a few hours to avoid this interaction.

Answer

Thank you for reaching out to us!

Our website does list an interaction between coconut water and ciprofloxacin, so it's important to be careful here.

Coconut water contains some calcium, which can interact with ciprofloxacin. This is why your ciprofloxacin prescription bottle may have a sticker advising against combining it with calcium-containing products (due to the interaction with calcium-containing products).

Calcium can chelate, or bind, to some antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, reducing its absorption. To be safe, it is generally recommended to separate the administration of ciprofloxacin and calcium by at least a few hours.

It is important to note that the calcium content of coconut water can vary greatly between products. Analysis of coconut water shows that the calcium content can range from about 100mg to 300mg per 1,000 mL (1 liter). Therefore, the severity of this interaction depends on how much coconut water you consume with ciprofloxacin.

A small sip or two is likely safe to combine with ciprofloxacin without any major impact on the absorption of the antibiotic. However, consuming large amounts of coconut water might provide enough calcium to reduce absorption.

Final Words

I hope you found this answer helpful! Feel free to reach out anytime.

References

  • Cipro Prescribing Information, AccessFDA
  • The intravenous use of coconut water, PubMed
  • Preventing hyponatraemic dehydration in cystic fibrosis: a cautionary note to take coconut water with a pinch of salt, PubMed

About the Pharmacist

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD

Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.

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