Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Oxaliplatin
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Oxaliplatin: 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
Oxaliplatin has been associated with QT prolongation and electrolyte loss, and escitalopram adds to QT risk. This raises the possibility of ventricular arrhythmia, especially with chemotherapy-related vomiting or diarrhea.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Oxaliplatin 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; Oxaliplatin belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, aggravated by oxaliplatin-induced electrolyte disturbances.
What to do
Check potassium, magnesium and calcium before each cycle and correct deficits. Obtain an ECG at baseline and when symptomatic or if other QT-prolonging drugs are added.
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 Oxaliplatin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Oxaliplatin Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Escitalopram with Oxaliplatin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Oxaliplatin 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. Oxaliplatin has been associated with QT prolongation and electrolyte loss, and escitalopram adds to QT risk. This raises the possibility of ventricular arrhythmia, especially with chemotherapy-related vomiting or diarrhea.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Oxaliplatin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check potassium, magnesium and calcium before each cycle and correct deficits. Obtain an ECG at baseline and when symptomatic or if other QT-prolonging drugs are added.
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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