Drug interactions
Asenapine + Escitalopram
Severity: Moderate
Asenapine and Escitalopram: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combined use may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is greater with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia or existing cardiac disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Asenapine and Escitalopram can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Asenapine belongs to Central Nervous System; Escitalopram belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation through cardiac repolarization (hERG potassium channel) effects.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium before combining. Repeat the ECG after initiation and avoid the combination in patients with congenital long QT or other QT-prolonging drugs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Escitalopram
- Cisapride + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Pimozide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Asenapine
- Asenapine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Asenapine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Asenapine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Asenapine Major
- Alfentanil + Asenapine Major
- Alfuzosin + Asenapine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Asenapine with Escitalopram?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Asenapine and Escitalopram can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combined use may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmias including torsades de pointes. The risk is greater with electrolyte disturbances, bradycardia or existing cardiac disease.
How serious is the interaction between Asenapine and Escitalopram?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium before combining. Repeat the ECG after initiation and avoid the combination in patients with congenital long QT or other QT-prolonging drugs.
What other medicines interact with Escitalopram?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Escitalopram with, for example, Cisapride, Citalopram, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Escitalopram page.
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