Drug interactions
Citalopram + Isoflurane
Severity: Moderate
Citalopram and Isoflurane: 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 volatile anesthetics such as isoflurane can also lengthen the QT interval. Used together during anesthesia, they may add to the risk of torsades de pointes, especially with electrolyte disturbances or other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Citalopram and Isoflurane 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; Isoflurane belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of ventricular repolarization (QT interval) through effects on cardiac potassium channels.
What to do
Do not stop citalopram solely for anesthesia, but obtain a baseline ECG in at-risk patients and correct potassium and magnesium before surgery. Monitor the ECG perioperatively and avoid adding other QT-prolonging drugs such as ondansetron where possible.
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 Isoflurane
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Citalopram with Isoflurane?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Citalopram and Isoflurane 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 volatile anesthetics such as isoflurane can also lengthen the QT interval. Used together during anesthesia, they may add to the risk of torsades de pointes, especially with electrolyte disturbances or other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Citalopram and Isoflurane?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not stop citalopram solely for anesthesia, but obtain a baseline ECG in at-risk patients and correct potassium and magnesium before surgery. Monitor the ECG perioperatively and avoid adding other QT-prolonging drugs such as ondansetron where possible.
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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