Combined use of ciprofloxacin and sucralfate

The effect of sucralfate on the bioavailability of ciprofloxacin hydrochloride was assessed in 12 healthy male volunteers. The study was a four-period crossover design where subjects were randomized to one of four treatment sequences at entry. Treatments A, B, and C included sucralfate 2 g q12h for five doses. For treatment A, the fifth dose sucralfate was administered concurrently with ciprofloxacin 750 mg. For treatment B, 750 mg of ciprofloxacin was administered two hours before the fifth dose of sucralfate. Treatment C consisted of ciprofloxacin 750 mg six hours before the fifth dose of sucralfate. A 750-mg dose of ciprofloxacin was administered alone for treatment D. Blood and urine samples were collected at predetermined time intervals for 24 hours. Ciprofloxacin concentrations were determined by HPLC. The area under the concentration versus time curve from zero to infinity and the urinary recovery of ciprofloxacin were used for determining relative bioavailability. Concurrent administration of ciprofloxacin and sucralfate (treatment A) resulted in a significant decrease (p less than 0.05) in ciprofloxacin absorption. The relative bioavailabilities for treatments A, B, and C were 0.0429 +/- 0.0202, 0.829 + 0.21, and 0.965 + 0.32, respectively, relative to ciprofloxacin alone. In normal volunteers, ciprofloxacin may be administered between two and six hours before sucralfate, allowing sufficient time for ciprofloxacin absorption prior to the sucralfate dose and thereby minimizing the chance of a significant interaction. In patients with decreased gastric emptying the interaction may be more difficult to avoid.