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7 Interactions found for:

Abilify and Lexapro
Interactions Summary
  • 3 Major
  • 3 Moderate
  • 1 Minor
  • Abilify
  • Lexapro

Drug Interactions

Moderate
Lexapro + Abilify

The following applies to the ingredients: Escitalopram (found in Lexapro) and Aripiprazole (found in Abilify)

MONITOR: It is uncertain whether aripiprazole causes clinically significant prolongation of the QT interval. In clinical trials with aripiprazole involving patients with schizophrenia or bipolar mania, the incidence of QT prolongation was comparable to placebo. In postmarketing experience, QT prolongation, sudden death, torsade de pointes, ventricular tachycardia, arrhythmia, and cardiopulmonary arrest have been reported. However, these events were very rare or isolated, and many of the patients had preexisting cardiovascular disease, were on concomitant medications known to prolong the QT interval, had risk factors for QT prolongation, took an overdose of aripiprazole, and/or were morbidly obese. On the contrary, most data available in the medical literature suggest that aripiprazole either has no effect on the QT interval, or it may even cause a slight shortening of the QT interval within the dosage range of 10 to 30 mg/day.

MANAGEMENT: Some authorities recommend caution when aripiprazole is used with drugs that are known to cause QT prolongation. ECG monitoring may be advisable in some cases, such as in patients with a history of cardiac arrhythmias or congenital or family history of long QT syndrome. Patients should be advised to seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms that could indicate the occurrence of torsade de pointes such as dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, palpitation, irregular heart rhythm, shortness of breath, or syncope.

References

  1. Kane JM, Carson WH, Saha AR, et al. "Efficacy and safety of aripiprazole and haloperidol versus placebo in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder." J Clin Psychiatry 63 (2002): 763-71
  2. Goodnick PJ, Jerry J, Parra F "Psychotropic drugs and the ECG: focus on the QTc interval." Expert Opin Pharmacother 3 (2002): 479-98
  3. "Product Information. Abilify (aripiprazole)." Bristol-Myers Squibb (2002):
  4. Keck PE Jr, Marcus R, Tourkodimitris S, et al. "A placebo-controlled, double-blind study of the efficacy and safety of aripiprazole in patients with acute bipolar mania." Am J Psychiatry 160 (2003): 1651-8
  5. Pigott TA, Carson WH, Saha AR, Torbeyns AF, Stock EG, Ingenito GG "Aripiprazole for the prevention of relapse in stabilized patients with chronic schizophrenia: a placebo-controlled 26-week study." J Clin Psychiatry 64 (2003): 1048-56
  6. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  7. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  8. Nelson S, Leung JG "Torsades de Pointes After Administration of Low-Dose Aripiprazole (February)." Ann Pharmacother (2013):

Drug and Food Interactions

Moderate
Lexapro + Food

The following applies to the ingredients: Escitalopram (found in Lexapro)

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

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

Moderate
Abilify + Food

The following applies to the ingredients: Aripiprazole (found in Abilify)

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

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

Drug and Pregnancy Interactions

The following applies to the ingredients: Escitalopram (found in Lexapro)

This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus.

AU TGA Pregnancy Category: C
US FDA Pregnancy Category: C

Comments:
-Newborns should be monitored if the maternal use of this drug continues into the later stages of pregnancy, particularly, the third trimester.
-Abrupt discontinuation should be avoided during pregnancy.

Animal studies have revealed evidence of embryotoxicity (e.g., reduced fetal weight and reversible delay of ossification), offspring mortality, and delayed growth. Animal studies with racemic citalopram have revealed evidence of teratogenicity at doses greater than human therapeutic doses. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Human spontaneous abortion has been reported with racemic citalopram.

Neonates exposed to SSRIs late in the third trimester have uncommonly reported clinical findings including respiratory distress, cyanosis, apnea, seizures, temperature instability, feeding difficulty, vomiting, hypoglycemia, hypotonia, hypertonia, hyperreflexia, tremor, jitteriness, irritability, and constant crying. These effects have mostly occurred either at birth or within a few days of birth. These features are consistent with either a direct toxic effect of SSRIs, or possibly a drug discontinuation syndrome; in some cases, the clinical picture is consistent with serotonin syndrome.

Epidemiological data have suggested that the use of SSRIs, particularly in late pregnancy, may increase the risk of persistent pulmonary hypertension in the newborn.

Data from animal studies has shown that escitalopram may affect sperm quality. Human case reports from some SSRIs have shown this effect to be reversible. As yet, the impact of this on human fertility has not been observed.

To monitor the outcomes of pregnant women exposed to antidepressants, a National Pregnancy Registry for Antidepressants has been established. Physicians are encouraged to register patients and pregnant women are encouraged to register themselves. For additional information: https://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/antidepressants/

AU TGA pregnancy category C: Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

US FDA pregnancy category C: Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

References

  1. "Product Information. Lexapro (escitalopram)." Forest Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  2. Briggs GG, Freeman RK, Yaffe SJ.. "Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation." Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (2005):
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  4. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0

The following applies to the ingredients: Aripiprazole (found in Abilify)

This drug should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

AU TGA pregnancy category: C
US FDA pregnancy category: Not assigned.

Risk summary: There are insufficient data available on use of this drug in pregnant women to inform a drug-related risk.

Comments:
-A pregnancy exposure registry is available.
-If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the potential harm to the fetus.
-Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery.

Animal studies have revealed evidence of developmental toxicity, including possible teratogenic effects. Congenital anomalies have been reported; however, a causal relationship has not been established. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy.

There have been reports of agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress and feeding disorder in neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs during the third trimester of pregnancy. These complications have varied in severity; while in some cases symptoms have been self-limited, in other cases neonates have required intensive care unit support and prolonged hospitalization.

To monitor the outcomes of pregnant women exposed to atypical antipsychotics, a National Pregnancy Registry for Atypical Antipsychotics has been established. Physicians are encouraged to register patients and pregnant women are encouraged to register themselves. For additional information: http://womensmentalhealth.org/clinical-and-research-programs/pregnancyregistry/.

AU TGA pregnancy category C: Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.

US FDA pregnancy category Not Assigned: The US FDA has amended the pregnancy labeling rule for prescription drug products to require labeling that includes a summary of risk, a discussion of the data supporting that summary, and relevant information to help health care providers make prescribing decisions and counsel women about the use of drugs during pregnancy. Pregnancy categories A, B, C, D, and X are being phased out.

References

  1. "Product Information. Abilify (aripiprazole)." Bristol-Myers Squibb (2002):
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  4. "Product Information. Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc (2013):
  5. "Product Information. Aristada (aripiprazole)." Alkermes, Inc (2015):

Drug and Breastfeeding Interactions

The following applies to the ingredients: Aripiprazole (found in Abilify)

Use is not recommended; a decision should be made to discontinue breast-feeding or discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comment: The effects on lactation and in the nursing infant are unknown.

Low levels of this drug have been detected in human milk; the maternal weight-adjusted dose calculated from 2 different women provide estimates of 0.7% and 8.3%. This drug is expected to have a minimal effect on serum prolactin levels, however 2 cases of galactorrhea have been reported.

References

  1. "Product Information. Abilify (aripiprazole)." Bristol-Myers Squibb (2002):
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  4. "Product Information. Abilify Maintena (aripiprazole)." Otsuka American Pharmaceuticals Inc (2013):
  5. United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT" (2013):
  6. "Product Information. Aristada (aripiprazole)." Alkermes, Inc (2015):

The following applies to the ingredients: Escitalopram (found in Lexapro)

Use with caution; the benefit to the mother should outweigh the risk to the infant.

Excreted into human milk: Yes

Comments:
-Breastfed infants should be monitored for drowsiness and decreased feeding.
-Mothers taking an SSRI during pregnancy and postpartum may have difficulty breastfeeding and may require additional breastfeeding support.

Escitalopram is not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants, particularly in infants over 2 months of age. One case of necrotizing enterocolitis has been reported in a breastfed newborn whose mother was taking escitalopram during pregnancy and lactation; however, causality was not established.

Maternal doses of escitalopram up to 20 mg per day lead to low levels in milk, approximately 3.9% and 1.7% of the maternal weight-adjusted dose of escitalopram and desmethylcitalopram, respectively. Limited data suggest that escitalopram is preferable to racemic citalopram during breastfeeding due to lower dosage and milk levels, and general lack of side effects in breastfed infants.

References

  1. "Product Information. Lexapro (escitalopram)." Forest Pharmaceuticals (2002):
  2. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
  3. Cerner Multum, Inc. "Australian Product Information." O 0
  4. United States National Library of Medicine "Toxnet. Toxicology Data Network. http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/htmlgen?LACT" (2013):

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.

Switch to: Consumer Interactions

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.

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