What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Caffeine and ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin's FDA label of March 2, 2026 names caffeine in its drug interactions section; the caffeine labels PlainMeds reads (2) do not name ciprofloxacin. The ciprofloxacin label: “Caffeine/Xanthine Derivatives; Use with caution Reduced clearance resulting in elevated levels and prolongation of serum half-life; CIPRO inhibits the formation of paraxanthine after caffeine administration. …”
Check it at the source: the caffeine FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 29, 2026, Sagent Pharmaceuticals); the ciprofloxacin FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.).
What does the caffeine label say about ciprofloxacin?
Caffeine's label (effective July 29, 2026) and its 1 other brand-application label do not name ciprofloxacin in these sections. A label lists what its studies and reports found; it is not a complete list.
Source: FDA drug label (caffeine citrate), Sagent Pharmaceuticals, effective July 29, 2026 (SPL set 5f38c395-0093-4afd-89ec-f96e5dc0934a), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the ciprofloxacin label say about caffeine?
Ciprofloxacin label, drug interactionsCaffeine/Xanthine Derivatives; Use with caution Reduced clearance resulting in elevated levels and prolongation of serum half-life; CIPRO inhibits the formation of paraxanthine after caffeine administration (or pentoxifylline containing products). Monitor for xanthine toxicity and adjust dose as necessary.
Ciprofloxacin label, warnings and precautionsCo-administration of CIPRO and other drugs primarily metabolized by CYP1A2 (for example, theophylline, methylxanthines, caffeine, tizanidine, ropinirole, clozapine, olanzapine and zolpidem), results in increased plasma concentrations of the co-administered drug and could lead to clinically significant pharmacodynamic adverse reactions of the co-administered drug [see Drug Interactions ( 7 ) and Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )].
Ciloxan label (Sandoz Inc, July 30, 2024), drug interactionsHowever, the systemic administration of some quinolones has been shown to elevate plasma concentrations of theophylline, interfere with the metabolism of caffeine, enhance the effects of the oral anticoagulant, warfarin, and its derivatives, and has been associated with transient elevations in serum creatinine in patients receiving cyclosporine concomitantly.
Source: FDA drug label (Ciloxan, NDA020369), Sandoz Inc, effective July 30, 2024 (SPL set 09ca5374-2a16-4a95-91b3-70591d78254e), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Cipro), Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc., effective March 2, 2026 (SPL set 888dc7f9-ad9c-4c00-8d50-8ddfd9bd27c0), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Caffeine | Ciprofloxacin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Diarrhea, Urinary tract infections, Bacterial infections |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.083 per tablet 200 mg tablet | $0.123 per tablet 500 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once