Citalopram: suspected interaction with cocaine

by Chloe Harman on the 19 July 2016

Healthcare professionals should be aware of the potential increased risk of bleeding when prescribing citalopram to patients who are using cocaine, the MHRA has advised, after the death of a man from subarachnoid haemorrhage.

There are plausible mechanisms for an interaction between cocaine and citalopram that could lead to subarachnoid haemorrhage. | iStock
There are plausible mechanisms for an interaction between cocaine and citalopram that could lead to subarachnoid haemorrhage. | iStock

Cocaine-induced hypertension could also contribute to a potential interaction between cocaine and citalopram, that could lead to subarachnoid haemorrhage.

Further information
View citalopram drug records
MHRA Drug Safety Update

When prescribing any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, the MHRA reminds prescribers to enquire about cocaine use when considering drug-drug interactions and to avoid concurrent use of multiple serotonergic drugs.

The possibility of illicit drug use and interactions should always be considered when prescribing any medicines that have the potential to interact adversely.

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