Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Perphenazine
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Perphenazine: 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 drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combining them may increase the risk of torsades de pointes. Perphenazine is also a CYP2D6 substrate, and escitalopram is a weak CYP2D6 inhibitor, which may modestly raise perphenazine levels.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Perphenazine 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; Perphenazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive effects on cardiac repolarization plus weak CYP2D6 inhibition by escitalopram.
What to do
Monitor ECG and QTc, correct electrolyte abnormalities, and watch for extrapyramidal symptoms or sedation. Reduce the perphenazine dose if adverse effects emerge.
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 Perphenazine
- Ibutilide + Perphenazine Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Perphenazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Perphenazine Major
- Alfentanil + Perphenazine Major
- Amiodarone + Perphenazine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Escitalopram with Perphenazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Perphenazine 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 drugs can prolong the QT interval, so combining them may increase the risk of torsades de pointes. Perphenazine is also a CYP2D6 substrate, and escitalopram is a weak CYP2D6 inhibitor, which may modestly raise perphenazine levels.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Perphenazine?
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 ECG and QTc, correct electrolyte abnormalities, and watch for extrapyramidal symptoms or sedation. Reduce the perphenazine dose if adverse effects emerge.
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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