Drug interactions
Citalopram + Salicylates
Severity: Moderate
Citalopram and Salicylates: 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 impairs platelet aggregation and salicylates can irritate the gastric mucosa and affect platelets. Together they increase the risk of gastrointestinal and other bleeding.
What this interaction means in plain words
Citalopram and Salicylates 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.
Why it happens
Additive platelet dysfunction and gastric mucosal injury.
What to do
Monitor for bleeding signs and consider a proton pump inhibitor in older or high-risk patients. Prefer paracetamol for analgesia where suitable.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Citalopram with Salicylates?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Citalopram and Salicylates 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 impairs platelet aggregation and salicylates can irritate the gastric mucosa and affect platelets. Together they increase the risk of gastrointestinal and other bleeding.
How serious is the interaction between Citalopram and Salicylates?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for bleeding signs and consider a proton pump inhibitor in older or high-risk patients. Prefer paracetamol for analgesia where suitable.
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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