What Should Be The Gap Between Last Intake Of Citalopram And Intake Of Cocaine?

Posted on Wed, 9 Mar 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 9 Mar 2016 Answered on

Wed, 18 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I want to know how long before taking cocaine one needs to stop taking citalopram in order to avoid a seratonine syndrome...

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Atleast 36 hours.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.

In my opinion, there should be a gap of atleast 36 hours between last intake of citalopram and intake of cocaine.
This should not cause serotonin syndrome.

Hope it helps.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (19 minutes later)

So I do not need to fully go off Citalopram right? Basically I do not need to wait say one full week and go through withdrawal syndrome right?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (35 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Need not go off it fully.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, it is not necessary to completely stop citalopram. This will prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (23 hours later)

PS I am being a bit paranoid here, but can you briefly explain me why 36hrs should be enough?

After how long can people start taking citalopram again?

This is the last one.

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (19 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Half life.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Sorry for late response.

I say 36 hours because the half life of drug is 36 hours. The risk of serotonin syndrome would be substantially reduced after this period.

In my opinion, the half life of metabolites of cocaine is upto 6 hours.
Citalopram can be restarted after this period.

Hope this answers your query.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar