MHRA safety alert -Citalopram: suspected drug interaction with cocaine; prescribers should consider enquiring about illicit drug use

When prescribing selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), prescribers are reminded to enquire about cocaine use when considering drug–drug interactions and the need to avoid concurrent use of multiple serotonergic drugs. They should also note the potential increased risk of bleeding when citalopram is prescribed to patients taking cocaine.

Possible interactions with illicit drugs should be considered when prescribing any medicines that have the potential to interact adversely.