Interactions between ciprofloxacin and antacids--dissolution and adsorption studies.

Ciprofloxacin is a fluorinated quinolone antibacterial agent extensively used against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms. In certain polytherapy programs, ciprofloxacin can be administered with some antacids that could modify its dissolution rate and reduce its absorption leading to therapeutic failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of some antacids on the availability of ciprofloxacin. The release of ciprofloxacin from tablets in the presence of antacids, such as sodium bicarbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium trisilicate and magaldrate was studied on BP 2002 dissolution test apparatus. These studies were carried out in simulated gastric and intestinal juices for 3 hours at 37 degrees C. The results confirmed that the dissolution rate of tablets was markedly retarded in the presence of all the antacids studied. Magaldrate and calcium carbonate in simulated gastric juice exhibited relatively higher adsorption capacities, as did magnesium trisilicate and calcium hydroxide in simulated intestinal juice.