Drug interactions
Donepezil + Escitalopram
Severity: Moderate
Donepezil and Escitalopram: 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 are associated with QT prolongation, and donepezil can also cause bradycardia. Together they may raise the risk of torsades de pointes, especially in older patients with cardiac disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Donepezil and Escitalopram 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.
Donepezil belongs to Central Nervous System; Escitalopram belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with donepezil bradycardia further increasing arrhythmia risk.
What to do
Check baseline ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors and monitor heart rate and QTc. Avoid escitalopram doses above the age-adjusted maximum.
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 Donepezil and Escitalopram, 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 Escitalopram
- Cisapride + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Pimozide Contraindicated
Other interactions of Donepezil
- Donepezil + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Donepezil + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Donepezil Major
- Amisulpride + Donepezil Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Donepezil with Escitalopram?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Donepezil and Escitalopram 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 are associated with QT prolongation, and donepezil can also cause bradycardia. Together they may raise the risk of torsades de pointes, especially in older patients with cardiac disease.
How serious is the interaction between Donepezil and Escitalopram?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check baseline ECG and electrolytes in patients with cardiac risk factors and monitor heart rate and QTc. Avoid escitalopram doses above the age-adjusted maximum.
What other medicines interact with Escitalopram?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Escitalopram with, for example, Cisapride, Citalopram, Isocarboxazid. The full list is on the Escitalopram 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.
