Drug interactions
Citalopram + Fluticasone-salmeterol
Severity: Moderate
Citalopram and Fluticasone-salmeterol: 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
Citalopram causes dose-dependent QT prolongation, and high doses of salmeterol can also lengthen the QTc and provoke tachycardia or hypokalemia. Together they may modestly raise the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, especially in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte disturbances.
What this interaction means in plain words
Citalopram and Fluticasone-salmeterol 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; Fluticasone-salmeterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QTc prolongation from citalopram and beta-2 agonist-related cardiac effects of salmeterol.
What to do
Use the lowest effective citalopram dose (keep within labeled maximums for age) and standard salmeterol doses. Check potassium and magnesium and obtain an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors.
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 Fluticasone-salmeterol
- Darunavir + Fluticasone-salmeterol Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Fluticasone-salmeterol Contraindicated
- Fluticasone-salmeterol + Fosamprenavir Contraindicated
- Fluticasone-salmeterol + Indinavir Contraindicated
- Fluticasone-salmeterol + Lopinavir Contraindicated
- Fluticasone-salmeterol + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
Other interactions of Citalopram
- Cisapride + Citalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Citalopram with Fluticasone-salmeterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Citalopram and Fluticasone-salmeterol 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 causes dose-dependent QT prolongation, and high doses of salmeterol can also lengthen the QTc and provoke tachycardia or hypokalemia. Together they may modestly raise the risk of ventricular arrhythmia, especially in patients with cardiac disease or electrolyte disturbances.
How serious is the interaction between Citalopram and Fluticasone-salmeterol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use the lowest effective citalopram dose (keep within labeled maximums for age) and standard salmeterol doses. Check potassium and magnesium and obtain an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors.
What other medicines interact with Fluticasone-salmeterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fluticasone-salmeterol with, for example, Darunavir, Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df, Fosamprenavir. The full list is on the Fluticasone-salmeterol page.
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