Citalopram therapy for depression: a review of 10 years of European experience and data from U.S. clinical trials
by
Keller MB
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior,
Brown University,
Butler Hospital,
Providence, RI 02906, USA.
J Clin Psychiatry 2000 Dec; 61(12):896-908

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This review summarizes and evaluates clinical experience with citalopram, the latest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) to be approved for the treatment of depression in the United States. DATA SOURCES: Published reports of randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical studies of citalopram were retrieved using a MEDLINE literature search. Search terms included citalopram, SSRI, TCA (tricyclic antidepressant), depression, and clinical. For each study, data on antidepressant efficacy and adverse events were evaluated. Pharmacokinetic studies and case reports were reviewed to supplement the evaluation of citalopram's safety and tolerability. Data presented at major medical conferences and published in abstract form also were reviewed. STUDY FINDINGS: Thirty randomized, double-blind, controlled studies of the antidepressant efficacy of citalopram were located and reviewed. In 11 studies, citalopram was compared with placebo (1 of these studies also included comparison with another SSRI). In 4 additional studies, the efficacy of citalopram in preventing depression relapse or recurrence was investigated. In another 11 studies (including 1 meta-analysis of published and unpublished trials), citalopram was compared with tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants. Finally, results are available from 4 studies in which citalopram was compared with other SSRIs. A placebo-controlled study of citalopram for the treatment of panic disorder was reviewed for data on long-term adverse events. CONCLUSION: Data published over the last decade suggest that citalopram is (1) superior to placebo in the treatment of depression, (2) has efficacy similar to that of the tricyclic and tetracyclic antidepressants and to other SSRIs, and (3) is safe and well tolerated in the therapeutic dose range of 20 to 60 mg/day. Distinct from some other agents in its class, citalopram exhibits linear pharmacokinetics and minimal drug interaction potential. These features make citalopram an attractive agent for the treatment of depression, especially among the elderly and patients with comorbid illness.

OCD
SSRIs
Serotonin
Dopamine
Clomipramine
Sertraline and OCD
Dopamine and OCD
Alcohol and citalopram
Citalopram and ecstasy
SSRIs and panic disorder
Citalopram and selegiline
Citalopram v nortriptyline
Citalopram v amitriptyline
Citalopram and depression
Citalopram and panic disorder
Serotonin and romantic lovers
Citalopram and eating disorders
Big Pharma meets Madison Avenue
Citalopram (Cipramil, Celexa) : oral v intravenous
Citalopram for adolescents with major depression

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