Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Rilpivirine
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Rilpivirine: 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. Rilpivirine does so mainly at supratherapeutic doses, so risk at standard doses is modest, but additive effects are possible in patients with other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Rilpivirine 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; Rilpivirine belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Additive prolongation of cardiac repolarization (QTc).
What to do
Obtain an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors or electrolyte disturbances. Keep escitalopram at the lowest effective dose.
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 Rilpivirine
- Carbamazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexlansoprazole + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Efavirenz + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Eslicarbazepine + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Esomeprazole + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Escitalopram with Rilpivirine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Rilpivirine 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. Rilpivirine does so mainly at supratherapeutic doses, so risk at standard doses is modest, but additive effects are possible in patients with other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Rilpivirine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors or electrolyte disturbances. Keep escitalopram at the lowest effective dose.
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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