Ferrous fumarate, gluconate, sulfate and other
iron compounds can reduce the absorption of ciprofloxacin,
gatifloxacin,
levofloxacin,
norfloxacin,
ofloxacin and sparfloxacin.
Serum levels of the antibacterial may become subtherapeutic as a result.
Most
quinolones should not be taken at the same time as
iron. Since the
quinolones are rapidly absorbed, taking them 2 hours before the
iron should largely avoid this interaction. The exceptions are fleroxacin, which appears not to interact, and
lomefloxacin, which seems to interact only minimally.