Drug interactions
Escitalopram + Zuranolone
Severity: Moderate
Escitalopram and Zuranolone: 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
Zuranolone is a neuroactive steroid with sedating effects that impair driving and psychomotor function. Combining it with other CNS-active drugs such as escitalopram may increase somnolence and impairment. Zuranolone labeling recommends dose reduction if CNS depressant effects occur with concomitant drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Escitalopram and Zuranolone 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; Zuranolone belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive CNS depression through GABA-A positive modulation by zuranolone and the CNS effects of escitalopram.
What to do
Monitor for excessive sedation and psychomotor impairment, and counsel patients not to drive for at least 12 hours after each zuranolone dose. Reduce the zuranolone dose if CNS depression occurs.
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 Zuranolone
- Alprazolam + Zuranolone Major
- Amobarbital + Zuranolone Major
- Apalutamide + Zuranolone Major
- Asenapine + Zuranolone Major
- Brexpiprazole + Zuranolone Major
- Butorphanol + Zuranolone Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Escitalopram with Zuranolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Escitalopram and Zuranolone 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. Zuranolone is a neuroactive steroid with sedating effects that impair driving and psychomotor function. Combining it with other CNS-active drugs such as escitalopram may increase somnolence and impairment. Zuranolone labeling recommends dose reduction if CNS depressant effects occur with concomitant drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Escitalopram and Zuranolone?
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 for excessive sedation and psychomotor impairment, and counsel patients not to drive for at least 12 hours after each zuranolone dose. Reduce the zuranolone dose if CNS depression occurs.
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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