Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Indomethacin
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Indomethacin: 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
Escitalopram combined with indomethacin increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared with either drug alone. Risk is higher in the elderly and those with ulcer history.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Indomethacin 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; Indomethacin belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
SSRI-induced platelet serotonin depletion impairs aggregation, adding to NSAID COX-1 inhibition and mucosal injury.
What to do
Use a proton pump inhibitor for gastroprotection in at-risk patients or prefer a non-NSAID analgesic. Monitor for melena and anemia.
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 Indomethacin
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac Contraindicated
- Indomethacin + Ketorolac intranasal Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Indomethacin Major
- Acemetacin + Indomethacin Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Indomethacin Major
- Alteplase + Indomethacin Major
Other interactions of Escitalopram
- Cisapride + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Citalopram + Escitalopram Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Escitalopram + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Escitalopram with Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Indomethacin 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 combined with indomethacin increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared with either drug alone. Risk is higher in the elderly and those with ulcer history.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Indomethacin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use a proton pump inhibitor for gastroprotection in at-risk patients or prefer a non-NSAID analgesic. Monitor for melena and anemia.
What other medicines interact with Indomethacin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Indomethacin with, for example, Ketorolac, Ketorolac intranasal, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Indomethacin page.
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