Esopam 10 Drug Interactions

Contraindicated combinations: Irreversible non-selective MAOIs: Cases of serious reactions have been reported in patients receiving an SSRI in combination with a non-selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), and in patients who have recently discontinued SSRI treatment and have been started on such MAOI treatment. In some cases, the patient developed serotonin syndrome. Escitalopram is contraindicated in combination with non-selective, irreversible MAOIs. Escitalopram may be started 14 days after discontinuing treatment with an irreversible MAOI. At least 7 days should elapse after discontinuing Escitalopram treatment, before starting a non-selective, irreversible MAOI.
Reversible, selective MAO-A inhibitor (Moclobemide): Due to the risk of serotonin syndrome. the combination of Escitalopram with a MAO-A inhibitor such as Moclobemide is contraindicated. If the combination proves necessary, it should be started at the minimum recommend dosage and clinical monitoring should be reinforced.
Reversible, non-selective MAO-inhibitor (Linezolid): The antibiotic Linezolid should not be given to patients treated with Escitalopram. If combination proves necessary, it should be given with minimum dosages and under close clinical monitoring.
Irreversible, selective MAO-B inhibitor (Selegiline): In combination of Selegiline, caution is required due to risk of developing serotonin syndrome. Selegiline doses up to 10 mg/day have been safely co-administered with racemic Citalopram.
QT interval prolongation: Co-administration of Escitalopram with medicinal products that prolong the QT interval, such as Class IA and III antiarrhythmics, antipsychotics (e.g. Phenothiazine derivatives, Pimozide, Haloperidol), tricyclic antidepressants, certain antimicrobial agents (e.g. Sparfloxacin, Moxifloxacin, Erythromycin IV, Pentamidine, anti-malarial treatment particularly Halofantrine) certain antihistamines (Astemizole, Mizolastine), is contraindicated.
Combinations requiring precautions for use: Serotonergic medicinal products: Co-administration with serotonergic medicinal products (e.g. Tramadol, Sumatriptan, and other triptans) may lead to serotonin syndrome.
Medicinal products lowering the seizure threshold: SSRIs can lower the seizure threshold. Caution is advised when concomitantly using other medicinal products capable of lowering the seizure threshold (e.g. antidepressant (tricyclics, SSRIs), neuroleptics (Phenothiazines, Thioxanthenes and Butyrophenones), Mefloquin, Bupropion and Tramadol).
Lithium, Tryptophan: There have been reports of enhanced effects when SSRIs have been given together with Lithium or Tryptophan, therefore concomitant use of SSRIs with these medicinal products should be undertaken with caution.
St. John's wort: Concomitant use of SSRIs and herbal remedies containing St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) may result in an increased incidence of adverse reactions.
Hemorrhage: Altered anti-coagulant effects may occur when Escitalopram is combined with oral anticoagulants. Patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy should receive careful coagulation monitoring when Escitalopram is started or stopped. Concomitant use of NSAIDs may increase bleeding-tendency.
Alcohol: As with other psychotropic medicinal products, the combination with alcohol is not advisable.
Medicinal products inducing hypokalemia/hypomagnesemia: Caution is warranted for concomitant use of hypokalemia/hypomagnesemia inducing medicinal products as these conditions increase the risk of malignant arrhythmias.
Pharmacokinetic interactions: Influence of other medicinal products on the pharmacokinetics of Escitalopram: The metabolism of Escitalopram is mainly mediated by CYP2C19. CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 may also contribute to the metabolism although to a smaller extent. The metabolism of the major metabolite S-DCT (demethylated Escitalopram) seems to be partly catalyzed by CYP2D6.
Co-administration of Escitalopram with Omeprazole 30 mg once daily (a CYP2C19 inhibitor) resulted in moderate (approximately 50%) increase in the plasma concentrations of Escitalopram.
Co-administration of Escitalopram with Cimetidine 400 mg twice daily (moderately potent general enzyme-inhibitor) will result in a moderate (approximately 70%) increase in the plasma concentrations of Escitalopram. Caution is advised when administering Escitalopram in combination with Cimetidine. Dose adjustment may be warranted.
Thus, caution should be exercised when used concomitantly with CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g. Omeprazole, Esomeprazole, Fluconazole, Fluvoxamine, Lanzoprazole, Ticlopidine) or Cimetidine. A reduction in the dose of Escitalopram may be necessary based on monitoring of side-effects during concomitant treatment (see Warnings and Precautions).
Effect of Escitalopram on the pharmacokinetics of other medicinal products: Escitalopram is an inhibitor of the enzyme CYP2D6. Caution is recommended when Escitalopram is co-administered with medicinal products that are mainly metabolized by this enzyme, and that have a narrow therapeutic index, e.g. Flecainide, Propafenone and Metoprolol (when used in cardiac failure), or some CNS acting medicinal products that are mainly metabolized by CYP2D6, e.g. antidepressants such as Desipramine, Clomipramine and Nortriptyline or antipsychotics like Risperidone, Thioridazine and Haloperidol. Dosage adjustment may be warranted.
Co-administration with Desipramine or Metoprolol resulted in both cases in a two-fold increase in the plasma levels of these two CYP2D6 substrates.
Escitalopram may also cause weak inhibition of CYP2C19. Caution is recommended with concomitant use of medicinal products that are metabolized by CYP2C19.