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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is Azithromycin Advisable While On Lexapro?

I just came back from the urgent care and they said I have strep throat and they gave me a prescription for azithromycin but when I got home my husband, who works in the medical field, asked me if the hospital knew that I also take lexapro. That s the first I told them when they were checking my vitals and the nurse wrote it down. My husband told me that I should not be mixing the two. Should I call the urgent care?
Mon, 2 May 2016
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi dear,

Thanks for choosing HCM.

Your husband is right, Azithromycin and other antibiotics such as Clarithromycin has been reported to cause drug interactions with Lexapro in some people. Specially those with heart problems. both medicines affect heart rhythms and if taken together can lead to serious side effects. Therefore, it's suggested that patients taking Lexapro with Azithromycin should be under medical observation incase of any unwanted effects.

Remember, this drug interaction is only seen in some people specially those with heart diseases, however it's better to take safety precautions and avoid taking both drugs together regardless if one has heart problem or not.

As an alternative for your case you can take Amoxicillin, since there are no reported interactions between Amoxicillin and Lexapro. Also Amoxicillin is effective for Strep throat.

Please visit the doctor again or call urgent care, explain to them your concern and request an alternative antibiotic for your strep throat such as Amoxicillin.Also make sure to tell them if you had previous history of Allergy to certain types of antibiotics.

I hope this helped.

Wish you all the best.
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Is Azithromycin Advisable While On Lexapro?

Hi dear, Thanks for choosing HCM. Your husband is right, Azithromycin and other antibiotics such as Clarithromycin has been reported to cause drug interactions with Lexapro in some people. Specially those with heart problems. both medicines affect heart rhythms and if taken together can lead to serious side effects. Therefore, it s suggested that patients taking Lexapro with Azithromycin should be under medical observation incase of any unwanted effects. Remember, this drug interaction is only seen in some people specially those with heart diseases, however it s better to take safety precautions and avoid taking both drugs together regardless if one has heart problem or not. As an alternative for your case you can take Amoxicillin, since there are no reported interactions between Amoxicillin and Lexapro. Also Amoxicillin is effective for Strep throat. Please visit the doctor again or call urgent care, explain to them your concern and request an alternative antibiotic for your strep throat such as Amoxicillin.Also make sure to tell them if you had previous history of Allergy to certain types of antibiotics. I hope this helped. Wish you all the best.