This subject along with many others are quite common. We will do our best to answer this and many other similar questions in this article which should ease your mind regarding this subject.
Interactions Between Your Drugs
Ies to: Lexapro (escitalopram)
Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of escitalopram such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. 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.
Vitamin Interactions With Antidepressants
The combination of SSRI and antidepressant medications with supplements can be especially dangerous. Common SSRIs are Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. Brandi Cole, Pharm.D., a medical advisory board member for Persona Nutrition, explains why.
“Most SSRIs are extensively metabolized by liver enzymes, and supplements that affect these enzymes could potentially change the way your body eliminates SSRIs,” Cole says. Additionally, some supplements can cause medication to interact negatively with your body’s systems and processes. Supplements that affect the heart’s rhythm (like cesium or ephedra) could cause a dangerously irregular heartbeat when taken with SSRIs.
Supplements that contain serotonin or alter serotonin metabolism—such as 5HTP (a serotonin precursor), SAMe, or St John’s Wort can cause (the potentially life-threatening) serotonin syndrome when taken with SSRIs. Related: Lexapro details | Prozac details | Paxil details | Zoloft details
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Vitamin Interactions With Birth Control
But it’s not just SSRIs.
“In fact, taking St John’s Wort can decrease norethindrone and ethinyl estradiol levels by 13% to 15%, which can result in an unplanned pregnancy.”
Iron supplements and antibiotics
Taking iron alongside antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and minocycline, may decrease your body’s absorption rate of the antibiotic prescription. Additionally, those taking synthetic thyroid hormone replacement such as Levothyroxine should be sure to avoid all supplements that contain soy, iron, and calcium, which, “if taken within four hours of taking a synthetic thyroid hormone, may reduce the absorption rate,” Dr. Cole says. So always chat with your doctor or pharmacist before starting any new medication, vitamin, or supplement.
“Prescription medications can deplete nutrients from the body or provide additional nutrients based on the makeup of the medications you’re taking—and that can be helpful or hurtful,” Dr. Cole says.
Vitamins
Citalopram is sold under the brand name Celexa. Both Celexa and Lexapro are antidepressants that work as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors.
Because the action of the drug impacts serotonin, avoid any supplements that may interfere with serotonin or magnify the effects of the drug. Avoid taking doses of vitamins that exceed the dietary reference intakes to minimize your risk of a negative reaction. Be especially cautious to avoid taking doses above the recommended levels for vitamins A and K because of their potential blood-thinning properties.
Tryptophan changes the concentration of serotonin in the brain, magnifying the effects of Lexapro. St. John’s Wort
Avoid St. John’s wort when you are taking Lexapro or any other antidepressant. Taking St. John’s wort also places you at risk of developing serotonin syndrome.
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Food and Alcohol
Lexapro and Celexa can be taken either with or without food based on your preferences and schedule. As with most drugs, you should not drink alcohol while you are taking Lexapro or any other antidepressan.