Drug interactions
Citalopram + Desflurane
Severity: Moderate
Citalopram and Desflurane: 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 agents may prolong the QT interval, so perioperative exposure may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmia. The risk is highest with electrolyte disturbance or other QT-active drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Citalopram and Desflurane 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.
Citalopram belongs to Central Nervous System; Desflurane belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization.
What to do
Review the preoperative ECG in patients with risk factors and correct potassium and magnesium. Monitor the ECG during anesthesia and avoid additional 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 Citalopram
- Cisapride + Citalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Desflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Citalopram with Desflurane?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Citalopram and Desflurane 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 agents may prolong the QT interval, so perioperative exposure may add to the risk of ventricular arrhythmia. The risk is highest with electrolyte disturbance or other QT-active drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Citalopram and Desflurane?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Review the preoperative ECG in patients with risk factors and correct potassium and magnesium. Monitor the ECG during anesthesia and avoid additional QT-prolonging drugs.
What other medicines interact with Citalopram?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Citalopram with, for example, Cisapride, Dronedarone, Escitalopram. The full list is on the Citalopram page.
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