Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Mefenamic acid
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Mefenamic acid: 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
Combining an SSRI with an NSAID increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared with either drug alone.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Mefenamic acid 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; Mefenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
SSRI-induced platelet serotonin depletion adds to NSAID platelet inhibition and gastric mucosal injury.
What to do
Avoid prolonged co-use and consider proton pump inhibitor gastroprotection in patients at risk. Advise reporting of black stools or vomiting blood.
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 Mefenamic acid
- Ketorolac intranasal + Mefenamic acid Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Mefenamic acid Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Mefenamic acid Major
- Acemetacin + Mefenamic acid Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Mefenamic acid Major
- Alteplase + Mefenamic acid 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 Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Mefenamic acid 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. Combining an SSRI with an NSAID increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared with either drug alone.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid prolonged co-use and consider proton pump inhibitor gastroprotection in patients at risk. Advise reporting of black stools or vomiting blood.
What other medicines interact with Mefenamic acid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mefenamic acid with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Ketorolac, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Mefenamic acid page.
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