Escitalopram and Citalopram Interaction

Drug interaction information between Escitalopram and Citalopram.

Escitalopram and Citalopram have a documented major interaction in FDA labeling.

FDA drug labeling documents a major-severity interaction between Escitalopram and Citalopram. This page displays the available source-record category and label text. The category is not an individual risk estimate or medication-combination direction.

Drug A

Escitalopram

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

Drug B

Citalopram

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)

How They Interact

These two drugs are nearly identical, so taking them together is like taking a double dose of the same medicine.

FDA Label Information

7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Table 6 presents clinically important drug interactions with escitalopram. TABLE 6 Clinically Important Drug Interactions with Escitalopram Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) Clinical Impact: Concomitant use of SSRIs, including escitalopram, and MAOIs increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Intervention: Escitalopram is contraindicated in patients taking MAOIs, including MAOIs such as linezolid or intravenous methylene blue [ see Dosage and Administration (2.7) , Contraindications (4) , and Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] Pimozide Clinical Impact: Concomitant use...

Escitalopram Also Interacts With

View all Escitalopram interactions →

Citalopram Also Interacts With

View all Citalopram interactions →

Frequently Asked Questions

What SPL severity band is on file for Escitalopram + Citalopram?

Compiled FDA labeling labels this pair major. That is a source-record field, not an individual medication-combination decision.

Which drug in this pair has the larger labeled-interaction portfolio?

Escitalopram has 12 labeled pairs on file vs Citalopram's 9. In the major band specifically: Escitalopram has 3 (also Linezolid, Pimozide); Citalopram has 3 (also Linezolid, Pimozide).

What mechanism field is on file for Escitalopram and Citalopram?

These two drugs are nearly identical, so taking them together is like taking a double dose of the same medicine.

Escitalopram's labeled portfolio outnumbers Citalopram

SPL source-record counts only. This page's band is major · classes on file: Escitalopram (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)); Citalopram (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)).

Escitalopram

3 major · 2 moderate · 7 minor · 12 total

Citalopram

3 major · 2 moderate · 4 minor · 9 total

Sources: FDA Drug Labels (SPL) via openFDA (2026). This is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. This registry does not provide individual medication-combination directions.