Drug interactions
Citalopram + Primaquine
Severity: Moderate
Citalopram and Primaquine: 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 citalopram does so in a dose-dependent way. Used together they may add to the risk of torsades de pointes, particularly with electrolyte disturbance, bradycardia or heart disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Citalopram and Primaquine 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; Primaquine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation through cardiac repolarization effects (hERG potassium channel blockade).
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and correct potassium and magnesium before combining. Monitor the QTc, keep citalopram at or below its maximum recommended dose, and use an alternative if the QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
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 Primaquine
- Pimozide + Primaquine Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Primaquine Major
- Amisulpride + Primaquine Major
- Anagrelide + Primaquine Major
- Arsenic trioxide + Primaquine Major
- Asenapine + Primaquine 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 Primaquine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Citalopram and Primaquine 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 citalopram does so in a dose-dependent way. Used together they may add to the risk of torsades de pointes, particularly with electrolyte disturbance, bradycardia or heart disease.
How serious is the interaction between Citalopram and Primaquine?
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 correct potassium and magnesium before combining. Monitor the QTc, keep citalopram at or below its maximum recommended dose, and use an alternative if the QTc becomes markedly prolonged.
What other medicines interact with Primaquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Primaquine with, for example, Pimozide, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Primaquine page.
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