Drug interactions
Citalopram + Donepezil
Severity: Moderate
Citalopram and Donepezil: 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, and donepezil may also cause bradycardia, which further raises the risk of torsades de pointes. This is relevant in elderly patients with dementia and depression.
What this interaction means in plain words
Citalopram and Donepezil 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; Donepezil belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with donepezil-related vagotonic bradycardia.
What to do
Obtain an ECG for patients with cardiac risk factors and keep citalopram at or below age-appropriate maximum doses. Monitor heart rate, syncope and electrolytes.
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 Donepezil
- Donepezil + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Donepezil Major
- Amisulpride + Donepezil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Citalopram with Donepezil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Citalopram and Donepezil 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, and donepezil may also cause bradycardia, which further raises the risk of torsades de pointes. This is relevant in elderly patients with dementia and depression.
How serious is the interaction between Citalopram and Donepezil?
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 an ECG for patients with cardiac risk factors and keep citalopram at or below age-appropriate maximum doses. Monitor heart rate, syncope and electrolytes.
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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