Q: I am on Cipro for a urinary tract infection. I don’t want to do anything to hinder the effectiveness of this antibiotic, but I’m having a hard time avoiding both coffee and milk. Could you please explain the interactions between Cipro and these drinks? I know I shouldn’t mix Cipro with antacids or calcium supplements, but does that mean within the same hour that Cipro is taken, or at any time during the day?

A: Eating yogurt, drinking milk, using antacids or taking calcium supplements within two hours of swallowing antibiotics like tetracycline, Cipro or Noroxin could prevent absorption of the antibiotic, so it wouldn’t fight the infection. Orange juice is often fortified with calcium, so be sure to check the label before you wash your pills down with juice.

The issue with coffee is different. You might get more buzz from your brew if you drink it any morning that you take Cipro. The antibiotic interferes with the processing of caffeine, leading to higher blood levels of caffeine for a longer time. Decaf is a better choice while on Cipro.