Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Lithium: 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
Lithium enhances serotonergic function and can cause neurotoxicity, and combining it with an SSRI may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Both drugs may also affect QT interval.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Lithium 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; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects and additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Monitor for tremor, confusion, and other serotonin toxicity signs, and check serum lithium levels. Obtain an ECG if other QT risk factors exist.
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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Escitalopram with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Lithium 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. Lithium enhances serotonergic function and can cause neurotoxicity, and combining it with an SSRI may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Both drugs may also affect QT interval.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Lithium?
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 tremor, confusion, and other serotonin toxicity signs, and check serum lithium levels. Obtain an ECG if other QT risk factors exist.
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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