Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Trazodone
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Trazodone: 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 enhance serotonergic activity, and the combination can cause serotonin syndrome, although low-dose trazodone is often used for insomnia alongside SSRIs. Both also have some QT-prolonging effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Trazodone 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; Trazodone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive serotonergic effects, with additive QT prolongation.
What to do
Use the lowest effective trazodone dose and monitor for serotonin toxicity such as tremor, agitation and sweating. Obtain an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors.
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 Trazodone
- Arsenic trioxide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Isocarboxazid + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Levoketoconazole + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Methylene blue + Trazodone Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Trazodone Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Escitalopram with Trazodone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Trazodone 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 enhance serotonergic activity, and the combination can cause serotonin syndrome, although low-dose trazodone is often used for insomnia alongside SSRIs. Both also have some QT-prolonging effect.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Trazodone?
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 trazodone dose and monitor for serotonin toxicity such as tremor, agitation and sweating. Obtain an ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors.
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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