Citalopram;Escitalopram/Slt 2C19&3A4 Inducer that Prolong QT Interactions
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Your other medicine may change how your liver processes your antidepressant medicine. Your antidepressant can affect your heart's rhythm. Other drugs can have the same effect.
What might happen:
The amount of your antidepressant medicine in your blood may decrease and it may not work as well. Taking your antidepressant with other medicines that can affect your heart rhythm may increase your risk of irregular heartbeat, which may be life-threatening.
What you should do about this interaction:
Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know that you are taking these medicines together. Your doctor may want to monitor a test called an electrocardiogram (ECG) while you are taking citalopram to see if it is affecting your heart's rhythm. Let your doctor know right away if you notice an irregular heartbeat or have any dizziness, fainting episodes, or seizures.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
- 1.Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) US prescribing information. Forest Laboratories Inc. August, 2023.
- 2.Drew BJ, Ackerman MJ, Funk M, Gibler WB, Kligfield P, Menon V, Philippides GJ, Roden DM, Zareba W. Prevention of torsade de pointes in hospital settings: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology Foundation. J Am Coll Cardiol 2010 Mar 2;55(9):934-47.
- 3.Lexapro (escitalopram oxalate) US prescribing information. Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc. September, 2021.
- 4.USFood and Drug Administration. FDA Drug Safety Communication: Revised recommendations for Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) related to a potential risk of abnormal heart rhythms with high doses. Available at: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm297391.htm March 28, 2012.
- 5.Health Canada. Antidepressant Cipralex (escitalopram): Updated information regarding dose-related heart risk. Available at: http://www.healthycanadians.gc.ca/recall-alert-rappel-avis/hc-sc/2012/1367 4a-eng.php May 7, 2012.
- 6.Cipralex (escitalopram oxalate) Canadian prescribing information. Lundbeck August 13, 2012.
- 7.Cipralex (escitalopram oxalate) UK summary of product characteristics. Lunbeck Limited June 25, 2020.
- 8.Drye LT, et al. Changes in QTc interval in the citalopram for agitation in Alzheimer's disease (CitAD) randomized trial. PLoS One 2014;9(6):e98426.
- 9.Kukoyi O, Argo TR, Carnahan RM. Exacerbation of panic disorder with rifampin therapy in a patient receiving citalopram. Pharmacotherapy 2005; 25(3):435-437.
- 10.US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Drug Development and Drug Interactions: Table of Substrates, Inhibitors and Inducers. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-interactions-labeling/drug-development-and -drug-interactions-table-substrates-inhibitors-and-inducers. Updated 11/14/2017.
- 11.This information is based on an extract from the Certara Drug Interaction Database (DIDB) Platform, Copyright Certara 1999-2023..
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.