Drug Interactions between Celexa and irinotecan liposomal

An isolated case report describes an occurrence of rhabdomyolysis during concomitant treatment with irinotecan and citalopram. The exact mechanism of interaction is unknown but may involve irinotecan inhibition of citalopram metabolism via CYP450 3A4, resulting in increased plasma concentrations of citalopram. Although rhabdomyolysis is typically not a side effect of citalopram, it has been reported in citalopram overdose. In the report, a 74-year old man developed rhabdomyolysis 3 days after receiving irinotecan for the treatment of gastric cancer. The patient's other chronic medications included enalapril, alprazolam, nitroglycerin, aspirin, and simvastatin. He had also been started on citalopram approximately 2 months earlier. His condition improved following discontinuation of all medications but was exacerbated upon reinstitution of citalopram therapy for worsening depression. Citalopram was again withdrawn and the patient gradually recovered. A causal relationship has not been established. Theoretically, an interaction may have also occurred between irinotecan and simvastatin, the latter of which is a known substrate of CYP450 3A4 and a well-documented cause of rhabdomyolysis, especially in cases of drug interaction.

Switch to consumer interaction data