Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Metoclopramide
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Metoclopramide: 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 may contribute to serotonin toxicity and metoclopramide can cause dystonia or other extrapyramidal reactions. The combination can be used but carries added risk of movement disorders and serotonin syndrome.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Metoclopramide 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; Metoclopramide belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic activity combined with dopamine D2 blockade by metoclopramide.
What to do
Use the lowest effective metoclopramide dose for a short course and monitor for tremor, clonus, agitation, hyperthermia and dystonia. Stop metoclopramide if these features appear.
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 Metoclopramide
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 Metoclopramide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Metoclopramide 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 may contribute to serotonin toxicity and metoclopramide can cause dystonia or other extrapyramidal reactions. The combination can be used but carries added risk of movement disorders and serotonin syndrome.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Metoclopramide?
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 the lowest effective metoclopramide dose for a short course and monitor for tremor, clonus, agitation, hyperthermia and dystonia. Stop metoclopramide if these features appear.
What other medicines interact with Metoclopramide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Metoclopramide with, for example, Amantadine, Amoxapine, Antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol). The full list is on the Metoclopramide page.
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