Can you take Ferrous fumarate/folic acid with Lexapro?
No drug interactions found, but 29 warnings to review for the following 2 drugs:
- ferrous fumarate/folic acid
- Lexapro (escitalopram)
Drug interactions
There were no interactions found between ferrous fumarate/folic acid and Lexapro. However, this does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
Food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate food/lifestyle interactions
Moderate:
folic acid Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: ferrous fumarate/folic acid
Talk to your doctor before using alcohol together with folic acid. Excessive consumption of alcohol may reduce the absorption and increase the elimination of folic acid. Contact your doctor if your symptoms worsen or your condition changes. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate:
ferrous fumarate Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: ferrous fumarate/folic acid
Food may reduce the absorption and blood levels of ferrous fumarate. In addition, some oral medications can also interfere with ferrous fumarate absorption into the bloodstream, which may make the medication less effective in treating your condition. Likewise, ferrous fumarate may interfere with the absorption of other orally administered medications. You should take ferrous fumarate on an empty stomach at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. Your doctor may be able to prescribe alternatives that do not interact, or you may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring to safely use both medications. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how to take this or other medications you are prescribed. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Moderate:
escitalopram Food/Lifestyle
Applies to: Lexapro (escitalopram)
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of escitalopram such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with escitalopram. Do not use more than the recommended dose of escitalopram, and avoid activities requiring mental alertness such as driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medication affects you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns.
Disease interactions
26 potential interactions Applies to: 24 conditions, including Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Seizures, Psychosis, and Mania.
Achlorhydria
Moderate:
ferrous fumarate/folic acid
The ferrous fumarate in ferrous fumarate/folic acid has a moderate potential interaction with Achlorhydria.
Gastric acidity increases iron bioavailability by maintaining the ingested iron in a reduced form as ferrous ions, which are more readily absorbed than ferric ions. Therefore, when iron therapy is administered orally, higher dosages may be necessary for patients with decreased gastric acid production. Also, a liquid formulation is recommended in these patients because dissolution of the tablet coating depends on normal gastric acidity.
Anemia of Unspecified Nutritional Deficiency
Major:
ferrous fumarate/folic acid
The folic acid in ferrous fumarate/folic acid has a major potential interaction with Anemia of Unspecified Nutritional Deficiency.
The use of folic acid is contraindicated in patients with undiagnosed anemia. Folic acid in dosages above 1 mg/day can obscure the diagnosis of pernicious anemia by alleviating the hematologic abnormalities while allowing the progression of neurologic complications. In addition, folic acid alone is improper therapy in the treatment of pernicious anemia and other megaloblastic anemias where vitamin B12 is deficient.
Anorexia/Feeding Problems
Minor:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a minor potential interaction with Anorexia/Feeding Problems.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may occasionally cause significant weight loss, which may be undesirable in patients suffering from anorexia, malnutrition or excessive weight loss. Anorexia may occur in approximately 5% to 10% of patients. Weight change should be monitored during therapy if an SSRI is used in these patients.
Bipolar Disorder
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Bipolar Disorder.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like other antidepressants, may occasionally cause or activate mania or hypomania. The reported incidence ranged from 0.1% to 2% in premarketing testing of several SSRIs. Patients with bipolar disorder are generally more likely to experience mania from antidepressants. Therapy with SSRIs should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of mania or bipolar disorder. Prior to initiating treatment, it is recommended to adequately screen patients for bipolar disorder, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Bleeding Disorder
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Bleeding Disorder.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been associated with altered platelet function. Petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis, increased bleeding times, epistaxis and gastrointestinal hemorrhage have been reported. Therapy with SSRIs should be administered cautiously in patients with severe active bleeding or a hemorrhagic diathesis.
Blood Transfusion
Major:
ferrous fumarate/folic acid
The ferrous fumarate in ferrous fumarate/folic acid has a major potential interaction with Blood Transfusion.
There is no excretory mechanism for iron. Iron will correct only hemoglobin abnormalities due to iron deficiency and should not be used to treat conditions such as thalassemia, hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis, normocytic anemia (unless iron deficiency exists), or in patients receiving blood transfusions. Clinical monitoring of erythropoietic function and ferritin levels is recommended.
Coagulation Defects and Disorders
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Coagulation Defects and Disorders.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been associated with altered platelet function. Petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis, increased bleeding times, epistaxis and gastrointestinal hemorrhage have been reported. Therapy with SSRIs should be administered cautiously in patients with severe active bleeding or a hemorrhagic diathesis.
Dehydration
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Dehydration.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has rarely been associated with hyponatremia, sometimes secondary to development of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). These events have generally been reversible following discontinuation of SSRI therapy and/or medical intervention. SSRI-related hyponatremia may be more common in elderly female patients and those who are volume-depleted or receiving concomitant diuretic therapy. Caution may be warranted when SSRI therapy is administered in these patients and patients with preexisting hyponatremia or SIADH. Serum electrolytes, especially sodium as well as BUN and plasma creatinine, should be monitored regularly.
Depression
Major:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a major potential interaction with Depression.
Adult and pediatric patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders may experience worsening of their symptoms and may have the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for worsening of their symptoms, suicidality or changes in their behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment, and at times of dose changes. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the treating physician. Discontinuing the medication should be considered if symptoms are persistently worse, or abrupt in onset. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Depression.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like other antidepressants, may occasionally cause or activate mania or hypomania. The reported incidence ranged from 0.1% to 2% in premarketing testing of several SSRIs. Patients with bipolar disorder are generally more likely to experience mania from antidepressants. Therapy with SSRIs should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of mania or bipolar disorder. Prior to initiating treatment, it is recommended to adequately screen patients for bipolar disorder, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Failure to Thrive
Minor:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a minor potential interaction with Failure to Thrive.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may occasionally cause significant weight loss, which may be undesirable in patients suffering from anorexia, malnutrition or excessive weight loss. Anorexia may occur in approximately 5% to 10% of patients. Weight change should be monitored during therapy if an SSRI is used in these patients.
Hemoglobinopathy
Major:
ferrous fumarate/folic acid
The ferrous fumarate in ferrous fumarate/folic acid has a major potential interaction with Hemoglobinopathy.
There is no excretory mechanism for iron. Iron will correct only hemoglobin abnormalities due to iron deficiency and should not be used to treat conditions such as thalassemia, hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis, normocytic anemia (unless iron deficiency exists), or in patients receiving blood transfusions. Clinical monitoring of erythropoietic function and ferritin levels is recommended.
Hyponatremia
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Hyponatremia.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has rarely been associated with hyponatremia, sometimes secondary to development of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). These events have generally been reversible following discontinuation of SSRI therapy and/or medical intervention. SSRI-related hyponatremia may be more common in elderly female patients and those who are volume-depleted or receiving concomitant diuretic therapy. Caution may be warranted when SSRI therapy is administered in these patients and patients with preexisting hyponatremia or SIADH. Serum electrolytes, especially sodium as well as BUN and plasma creatinine, should be monitored regularly.
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Hyponatremia.
Treatment with SSRI antidepressants can cause hyponatremia. Caution should be used when treating patients with hyponatremia or at greater risk of hyponatremia such as the elderly, patients taking diuretics or who are volume depleted.
Liver Disease
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Liver Disease.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are primarily metabolized by the liver. The plasma concentrations of SSRIs and their metabolites may be increased and the half-lives prolonged in patients with impaired hepatic function. Dosage adjustments may be necessary in accordance with the individual product package labeling.
Malnourishment
Minor:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a minor potential interaction with Malnourishment.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may occasionally cause significant weight loss, which may be undesirable in patients suffering from anorexia, malnutrition or excessive weight loss. Anorexia may occur in approximately 5% to 10% of patients. Weight change should be monitored during therapy if an SSRI is used in these patients.
Mania
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Mania.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like other antidepressants, may occasionally cause or activate mania or hypomania. The reported incidence ranged from 0.1% to 2% in premarketing testing of several SSRIs. Patients with bipolar disorder are generally more likely to experience mania from antidepressants. Therapy with SSRIs should be administered cautiously in patients with a history of mania or bipolar disorder. Prior to initiating treatment, it is recommended to adequately screen patients for bipolar disorder, including a family history of suicide, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Noninfectious Colitis
Moderate:
ferrous fumarate/folic acid
The ferrous fumarate in ferrous fumarate/folic acid has a moderate potential interaction with Noninfectious Colitis.
Iron can be irritating and damaging to gastrointestinal mucosa. Iron therapy should be administered cautiously in patients with peptic ulcer disease, enteritis, or ulcerative colitis.
Peptic Ulcer
Moderate:
ferrous fumarate/folic acid
The ferrous fumarate in ferrous fumarate/folic acid has a moderate potential interaction with Peptic Ulcer.
Iron can be irritating and damaging to gastrointestinal mucosa. Iron therapy should be administered cautiously in patients with peptic ulcer disease, enteritis, or ulcerative colitis.
Psychosis
Major:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a major potential interaction with Psychosis.
Adult and pediatric patients with depression and other psychiatric disorders may experience worsening of their symptoms and may have the emergence of suicidal thoughts and behavior. Patients should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for worsening of their symptoms, suicidality or changes in their behavior, especially during the first few months of treatment, and at times of dose changes. Families and caregivers should be advised of the need for close observation and communication with the treating physician. Discontinuing the medication should be considered if symptoms are persistently worse, or abrupt in onset. It may be prudent to refrain from dispensing large quantities of medication to these patients.
Renal Dysfunction
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.
Citalopram (racemic) and escitalopram (the more pharmacologically active S-enantiomer) are extensively metabolized and only small amounts are excreted unchanged in the urine. No dosage adjustments are necessary in patients with mild to moderate renal impairment, as the oral clearance of citalopram has been shown to decrease only modestly (17%) in these patients compared to those with normal renal function. There is no information on the pharmacokinetics of citalopram or escitalopram in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl < 20 mL/min). Therapy with these agents should be administered cautiously in such patients.
Seizures
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may trigger seizures in approximately 0.2% of patients, and some of them are not recommended in patients with unstable epilepsy. Therapy with SSRIs should be administered cautiously in patients with seizure disorders.
SIADH
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with SIADH.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has rarely been associated with hyponatremia, sometimes secondary to development of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). These events have generally been reversible following discontinuation of SSRI therapy and/or medical intervention. SSRI-related hyponatremia may be more common in elderly female patients and those who are volume-depleted or receiving concomitant diuretic therapy. Caution may be warranted when SSRI therapy is administered in these patients and patients with preexisting hyponatremia or SIADH. Serum electrolytes, especially sodium as well as BUN and plasma creatinine, should be monitored regularly.
Thrombocytopathy
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Thrombocytopathy.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been associated with altered platelet function. Petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis, increased bleeding times, epistaxis and gastrointestinal hemorrhage have been reported. Therapy with SSRIs should be administered cautiously in patients with severe active bleeding or a hemorrhagic diathesis.
Thrombocytopenia
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Thrombocytopenia.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been associated with altered platelet function. Petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis, increased bleeding times, epistaxis and gastrointestinal hemorrhage have been reported. Therapy with SSRIs should be administered cautiously in patients with severe active bleeding or a hemorrhagic diathesis.
Vitamin K Deficiency
Moderate:
Lexapro
The escitalopram in Lexapro has a moderate potential interaction with Vitamin K Deficiency.
The use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) has been associated with altered platelet function. Petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis, increased bleeding times, epistaxis and gastrointestinal hemorrhage have been reported. Therapy with SSRIs should be administered cautiously in patients with severe active bleeding or a hemorrhagic diathesis.
More resources
ferrous fumarate/folic acid
A total of 122 drugs are known to interact with ferrous fumarate/folic acid.
- Ferrous fumarate/folic acid is in the following drug classes: iron products, vitamin and mineral combinations.
- Ferrous fumarate/folic acid is used to treat the following conditions:
Lexapro
A total of 734 drugs are known to interact with Lexapro.
- Lexapro is in the drug class selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
- Lexapro is used to treat the following conditions:
Drug Interaction Classification
| Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit. | |
| Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. | |
| 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. | |
| No interaction information available. |
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.