Escitalopram and Linezolid interaction
Escitalopram and Linezolid: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Escitalopram label · effective 2025-08-31
Escitalopram Capsules are contraindicated in patients: Taking, or within 14 days of stopping, MAOIs, including linezolid or intravenous methylene blue, because of an increased risk of serotonin syndrome [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.6 ), Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 ), Drug Interactions ( 7 )] .
Concomitant use of monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or within 14 days of stopping an MAOI ( 4 , 5.2 , 7)
Serotonin Syndrome: Increased risk when co-administered with other serotonergic agents but also when taken alone.
The concomitant use of Escitalopram Capsules with MAOIs is contraindicated.
If concomitant use of Escitalopram Capsules with other serotonergic drugs is clinically warranted, inform patients of the increased risk for serotonin syndrome and monitor for symptoms.
From the Linezolid label · effective 2026-06-19
• Serotonin Syndrome: Monitor patients taking Linezolid injection concomitantly with serotonergic agents for signs of serotonin syndrome.
If signs or symptoms of serotonin syndrome occur, consider discontinuing Linezolid injection and/or concomitant serotonergic agents.
Serotonin Syndrome Spontaneous reports of serotonin syndrome including fatal cases associated with the concomitant use of linezolid and serotonergic agents have been reported.
Monitor patients for the emergence of serotonin syndrome with the concomitant use of Linezolid injection and serotonergic agents or with use of Linezolid injection in patients with carcinoid syndrome.
Inform patients of the increased risk of serotonin syndrome when Linezolid injection is used concomitantly with serotonergic agents.
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Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.