Generic Lexapro - Escitalopram (Anti Depressant Drug) Interaction

Brand Name : Generic Lexapro
Generic Name : Escitalopram- es sye tal oh pram

If certain drugs are taken along with Generic Lexapro, drug interactions can take place, while there are certain medical conditions in which Generic Escitalopram should not be given.

Some of the medicines that interact with Lexapro are:

• SSRIs such as Citalopram, Celexa, Luvox, Prozac, or Zoloft.
• SNRIs such as Duloxetine, Desvenlafaxine, or Sibutramine.
• MAOIs such as Phenelzine, Selegiline, or Rasagline.
• Antihistamines like Tylenol PM, or Midol PM.
• Antipsychotics like Chlorpromazine [Thorazine], Clozapine, Pimozide, Nefazodone, or Thioridazine.
• Anti-seizure medication like Tramadol.
• Tryptan/Tyrptophan [amino acid].
• Aspirin.
• NSAIDs such as Celecoxib, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Ketorolac, Naproxen, or Sodium Salicylate.
• Fenfluramines for treating obesity such as Dexfenfluramine.
• Lithium.
• Anticoagulants such as Warfarin.
• Diuretics [water pills] like Furosemide.
• Medicines for treating migraine such as Metoclopramide, or Sumatriptan.
• Alcohol.
• St. John’s Wort [herbal medicine].

Pimozide is a highly potent antipsychotic medication, and a side effect of this medicine alone can result in Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome or a long QT syndrome. If combined with Generic Lexapro, it can have serious side effects such as coma, rapid fluctuation of the blood pressure, tachycardia, or mental status changes.

Thioridazine is an equally strong antipsychotic drug, administration of which requires frequent ECG-monitoring and blood tests to ascertain white blood cell counts, before and during therapy, and if given together with Generic Escitalopram, it can be dangerous and cause coma, increase tachycardia and resultant heart problems, as well as mental status changes.

If a diuretic is given when Lexapro is being administered, it will further lower sodium levels in the blood.

Concomitant usage of Tramadol [anti-seizure] can increase the seizures in the patient.Concomitant usage of anticoagulants like Warfarin, NSAIDs, or Aspirin, can increase the risk of bleeding [including bleeding in the stomach].

If a patient is taking an MAOI medication, then treatment with Lexapro tablets has to be deferred by 2 weeks. If the patient is taking Generic Lexapro, then also a gap of 2 weeks has to be given before the MAOI medication can begin. This may cause potentially life-threatening conditions – Serotonin Syndrome, or Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. Given together, both medications can escalate side effects to a dangerous level, bringing about a comatose condition, increase in the heart-rate, rapid fluctuation of the blood pressure, and serious mental status changes.

This is not a complete list of medicines or medical conditions with which Generic Lexapro interacts; please ask your doctor for full information.