Drug info - Does Cipralex (Escitalopram) effect Opiates/Opioids

[TheNewLeft]

ever since i started taking cipralex (20mg) once a day i have been unable to enjoy opiates the way i want.

hydro's and oxy's and noticeably weaker and the codeine high is almost non-existent.

whats up with that?

[jb2008]

Yes, your experiences are not a figment of your imagination. SSRIs such as (es)citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine etc., as well as SNRIs such as venlafaxine are all inhibitors of the CYP2D6 enzyme which basically converts your codeine into morphine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyp2d6
Therefore, as I recently experienced taking 300mg on a first go with Codeine while I was on venlafaxine, the high is non-existent. While you're taking antidepressants, don't waste your time money on opioids, and SWIY shouldn't do something silly like go and stop escitalopram cold turkey in order to experience the codeine again, bad idea!

If you are into your cough syrups, or drugs commonly used in them (codeine), then watch out for taking DXM on an SSRI too - the same enzyme is involved but the effects are magnified and often reported to be unpleasant. Most importantly, you risk possible death via serotonin syndrome when the two interact.

SWIM agrees that it sucks but it's best that you stay on the antidepressants SWIthey say absence makes SWIYs the grow fonder...