Drug interactions
Citalopram + Indomethacin
Severity: Moderate
Citalopram and Indomethacin: 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
Combining an SSRI with an NSAID raises the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding above that of either drug alone. The risk is greater in older patients and those with prior ulcers or on anticoagulants.
What this interaction means in plain words
Citalopram and Indomethacin 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; Indomethacin belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
SSRIs deplete platelet serotonin and impair aggregation, while indomethacin inhibits platelet COX-1 and damages gastric mucosa, producing additive bleeding risk.
What to do
Avoid if possible or add a proton pump inhibitor for gastroprotection in at-risk patients. Monitor for melena, hematemesis and falling hemoglobin.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Citalopram and Indomethacin, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Indomethacin
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Indomethacin Major
- Acemetacin + Indomethacin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Indomethacin Major
- Alteplase + Indomethacin Major
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 Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Citalopram and Indomethacin 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. Combining an SSRI with an NSAID raises the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding above that of either drug alone. The risk is greater in older patients and those with prior ulcers or on anticoagulants.
How serious is the interaction between Citalopram and Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid if possible or add a proton pump inhibitor for gastroprotection in at-risk patients. Monitor for melena, hematemesis and falling hemoglobin.
What other medicines interact with Indomethacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Indomethacin with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Indomethacin page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
