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Drug Interactions between cimetidine and escitalopram

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

cimetidine escitalopram

Applies to: cimetidine and escitalopram

MONITOR: Coadministration with cimetidine may increase the plasma concentrations of escitalopram. The proposed mechanism is cimetidine inhibition of the metabolic clearance of escitalopram via CYP450 2C19, 2D6, and 3A4. In study subjects, administration of a single 20 mg dose of escitalopram on day 4 of treatment with cimetidine 400 mg twice daily for 5 days resulted in increases of escitalopram peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and systemic exposure (AUC) by approximately 20% and 70%, respectively. High plasma levels of escitalopram may increase the risk of serious side effects such as QT prolongation, which may lead to arrhythmias including torsade de pointes and sudden death, as well as serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucination, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised if escitalopram must be used in combination with cimetidine. Pharmacologic response to escitalopram should be monitored more closely whenever cimetidine is added to or withdrawn from therapy, and the escitalopram dosage adjusted as necessary. This may be particularly important in patients receiving escitalopram at the upper end of the dosage range. Patients should be advised to seek medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or syncope. Patients should also be closely monitored for symptoms of the serotonin syndrome during treatment.

References (13)
  1. Nierenberg DW, Semprebon M (1993) "The central nervous system serotonin syndrome." Clin Pharmacol Ther, 53, p. 84-8
  2. Sternbach H (1991) "The serotonin syndrome." Am J Psychiatry, 148, p. 705-13
  3. Corkeron MA (1995) "Serotonin syndrome - a potentially fatal complication of antidepressant therapy." Med J Aust, 163, p. 481-2
  4. Mills KC (1997) "Serotonin syndrome: A clinical update." Crit Care Clin, 13, p. 763
  5. Chan BSH, Graudins A, Whyte IM, Dawson AH, Braitberg G, Duggin GG (1998) "Serotonin syndrome resulting from drug interactions." Med J Aust, 169, p. 523-5
  6. Nijhawan PK, Katz G, Winter S (1996) "Psychiatric illness and the serotonin syndrome: an emerging adverse drug effect leading to intensive care unit admission." Crit Care Med, 24, p. 1086-9
  7. Laird LK (1996) "Issues in the monopharmacotherapy and polypharmacotherapy of obsessive-compulsive disorder." Psychopharmacol Bull, 32, p. 569-78
  8. (2002) "Product Information. Lexapro (escitalopram)." Forest Pharmaceuticals
  9. Martin TG (1996) "Serotonin syndrome." Ann Emerg Med, 28, p. 520-6
  10. Lane R, Baldwin D (1997) "Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor--induced serotonin syndrome: review." J Clin Psychopharmacol, 17, p. 208-21
  11. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics."
  12. Canadian Pharmacists Association (2006) e-CPS. http://www.pharmacists.ca/function/Subscriptions/ecps.cfm?link=eCPS_quikLink
  13. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information."

Drug and food interactions

Moderate

escitalopram food

Applies to: escitalopram

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may potentiate some of the pharmacologic effects of CNS-active agents. Use in combination may result in additive central nervous system depression and/or impairment of judgment, thinking, and psychomotor skills.

MANAGEMENT: Patients receiving CNS-active agents should be warned of this interaction and advised to avoid or limit consumption of alcohol. Ambulatory patients should be counseled to avoid hazardous activities requiring complete mental alertness and motor coordination until they know how these agents affect them, and to notify their physician if they experience excessive or prolonged CNS effects that interfere with their normal activities.

References (4)
  1. Warrington SJ, Ankier SI, Turner P (1986) "Evaluation of possible interactions between ethanol and trazodone or amitriptyline." Neuropsychobiology, 15, p. 31-7
  2. Gilman AG, eds., Nies AS, Rall TW, Taylor P (1990) "Goodman and Gilman's the Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics." New York, NY: Pergamon Press Inc.
  3. (2012) "Product Information. Fycompa (perampanel)." Eisai Inc
  4. (2015) "Product Information. Rexulti (brexpiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc
Minor

cimetidine food

Applies to: cimetidine

Concurrent use of cimetidine and ethanol may result in increased ethanol concentrations. The mechanism appears to be due to inhibition of gastric alcohol dehydrogenase by cimetidine, leading to increased bioavailability of the alcohol and inhibition of hepatic metabolism of alcohol. The clinical significance of this interaction is limited. More importantly, patients requiring cimetidine for gastrointestinal disease should be counseled to avoid alcohol to prevent worsening of their disease. The other H-2 receptor antagonists appear to have minimal effects on the concentrations of alcohol.

References (2)
  1. Feely J, Wood AJ (1982) "Effects of cimetidine on the elimination and actions of ethanol." JAMA, 247, p. 2819-21
  2. Hansten PD (1992) "Effects of H2-receptor antagonists on blood alcohol levels." JAMA, 267, p. 2469
Minor

cimetidine food

Applies to: cimetidine

Caffeine effects may be increased in patients also taking cimetidine. The mechanism may be due to decreased caffeine metabolism induced by cimetidine. Although adequate clinical data are lacking, a reduction in dose or elimination of caffeine may be needed if excess CNS stimulation is observed.

References (2)
  1. (2001) "Product Information. Tagamet (cimetidine)." SmithKline Beecham
  2. Broughton LJ, Rodgers HJ (1981) "Decreased systenuc clearance of caffeine due to cimetidine." Br J Clin Pharmacol, 12, p. 155-9
Minor

cimetidine food

Applies to: cimetidine

H2 antagonists may reduce the clearance of nicotine. Cimetidine, 600 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance of an intravenous nicotine dose by 30%. Ranitidine, 300 mg given twice a day for two days, reduced clearance by 10%. The clinical significance of this interaction is not known. Patients should be monitored for increased nicotine effects when using the patches or gum for smoking cessation and dosage adjustments should be made as appropriate.

References (1)
  1. Bendayan R, Sullivan JT, Shaw C, Frecker RC, Sellers EM (1990) "Effect of cimetidine and ranitidine on the hepatic and renal elimination of nicotine in humans." Eur J Clin Pharmacol, 38, p. 165-9

Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

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