Drug interactions
Citalopram + Perphenazine
Severity: Moderate
Citalopram and Perphenazine: 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
Perphenazine may prolong the QT interval, adding to the dose-dependent effect of citalopram. Perphenazine is metabolized by CYP2D6 and citalopram is a weak inhibitor, which may modestly raise perphenazine levels.
What this interaction means in plain words
Citalopram and Perphenazine 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; Perphenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with minor CYP2D6 inhibition by citalopram raising perphenazine exposure.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor it, and keep electrolytes in the normal range. Watch for extrapyramidal symptoms and adjust perphenazine dose if needed.
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 Perphenazine, 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 Citalopram
- Cisapride + Citalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Phenelzine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Perphenazine
- Ibutilide + Perphenazine Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Perphenazine Major
- Alfentanil + Perphenazine Major
- Amiodarone + Perphenazine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Citalopram with Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Citalopram and Perphenazine 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. Perphenazine may prolong the QT interval, adding to the dose-dependent effect of citalopram. Perphenazine is metabolized by CYP2D6 and citalopram is a weak inhibitor, which may modestly raise perphenazine levels.
How serious is the interaction between Citalopram and Perphenazine?
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 a baseline ECG and monitor it, and keep electrolytes in the normal range. Watch for extrapyramidal symptoms and adjust perphenazine dose if needed.
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.
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.
