Taking Sudafed With Lexapro
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses whether or not the nasal decongestant Sudafed can safely be taken with Lexapro (escitalopram).
My nose is congested, and I can't breathe through my nose. I take 10 mg of Lexapro (escitalopram). What would be the best over the counter medicine to take to help me breathe through my nose?
Oct 28, 2022- Sudafed is safe to take with Lexapro as there is no drug interaction between these two medications.
- Several over-the-counter nasal decongestants including Sudafed, Sudafed PE, Afrin nasal spray, and saline spray are all safe options to use with Lexapro.
- You should speak with your doctor or pharmacist before using Sudafed to make sure it is appropriate for your situation, especially if you have uncontrolled high blood pressure.
Answer
It is always a good idea to look into potential drug interactions if you are taking a prescription medication and looking to add on over-the-counter medication. This is especially true if you are on antidepressants, such as Lexapro (escitalopram), as they have numerous drug interactions with over-the-counter products.
Fortunately, Lexapro (escitalopram) is safe to take with most nasal decongestants and there is likely a safe and effective option for you to use.
You are likely to get the most benefit from Sudafed (pseudoephedrine). Sudafed is safe to take with Lexapro as there is no drug interaction between the two medications.
Taking Lexapro With Nasal Decongestants
There are four commonly used nasal decongestants available over the counter that have no interaction with Lexapro and are safe to use. They are:
- Sudafed (pseudoephedrine)
- Sudafed PE (phenylephrine)
- Afrin nasal spray (oxymetazoline)
- Saline nasal spray
Sudafed (pseudoephedrine) is likely the most effective nasal decongestant over the counter and it is safe to use with Lexapro. Sudafed works by shrinking swollen nasal membranes to relieve nasal congestion. Sudafed also acts to increase nasal airflow and drainage of sinus secretions.
While Sudafed is generally safe to use in most individuals, there are some contraindications (such as uncontrolled high blood pressure) so it would be prudent to speak with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure the use of Sudafed is appropriate in your situation.
Sudafed PE (phenylephrine) is also safe to take with Lexapro and there is no drug interaction between the two. However, Sudafed PE, for most people, is not as effective as Sudafed.
Your other options include nasal sprays such as Afrin and saline sprays. Afrin is effective but cannot be used for more than 2 to 3 days continuously due to the risk of rebound congestion. Saline sprays can be used as often as needed.
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References & sources
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Drug interactions
- When two medications affect how each other works in your body, potentially causing unwanted effects or reducing effectiveness.
- Antidepressants
- Medications prescribed to treat depression and other mood disorders by affecting brain chemicals.
- Nasal decongestants
- Over-the-counter medications that reduce swelling in the nasal passages to relieve congestion.
- Pseudoephedrine
- The active ingredient in Sudafed that works by shrinking swollen nasal tissues to relieve congestion.
- Nasal membranes
- The soft tissue lining inside the nose that can swell when irritated or congested.
- Contraindications
- Medical conditions or circumstances that make it unsafe or inadvisable to use a particular medication.
- Rebound congestion
- A worsening of nasal congestion that occurs when a decongestant nasal spray is used for too long and then stopped.
- Saline
- A salt water solution used to rinse or spray the nasal passages to relieve congestion naturally.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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