Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Fluphenazine
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Fluphenazine: 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 agents can prolong the QT interval, so concurrent use may raise the risk of torsades de pointes. Fluphenazine is also metabolized by CYP2D6, which escitalopram inhibits weakly.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Fluphenazine 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.
Escitalopram belongs to Central Nervous System; Fluphenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with minor CYP2D6 inhibition by escitalopram raising fluphenazine exposure.
What to do
Obtain baseline and follow-up ECGs and check electrolytes. Monitor for extrapyramidal symptoms and adjust the fluphenazine dose as 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?
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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 Fluphenazine
- Arsenic trioxide + Fluphenazine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Fluphenazine Contraindicated
- Fluphenazine + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Fluphenazine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Fluphenazine Major
- Alfentanil + Fluphenazine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Escitalopram with Fluphenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Fluphenazine 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 agents can prolong the QT interval, so concurrent use may raise the risk of torsades de pointes. Fluphenazine is also metabolized by CYP2D6, which escitalopram inhibits weakly.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Fluphenazine?
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 baseline and follow-up ECGs and check electrolytes. Monitor for extrapyramidal symptoms and adjust the fluphenazine dose as needed.
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.
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