How much to worry about the FDA warning in the use of citalopram?

Abstract

Evaluation of: Zivin K, Pfeiffer PN, Bohnert AS, Ganoczy D, Blow FC, Nallamothu BK, Kales HC. Evaluation of the FDA Warning against Prescribing Citalopram at Doses Exceeding 40 mg. Am J Psychiatry. 2013 May 3. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12030408. [Epub ahead of print]A number of studies have suggested that antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may increase a risk of developing harmful cardiac adverse event such as QT interval prolongation. In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consecutively gave safety warnings to healthcare professionals that the use of citalopram may be associated with QT interval prolongation in 2011 and 2012. Despite the fact that citalopram has been one of the most acceptable antidepressants worldwide, concerns on citalopram about cardiac safety issues have become apparent to clinicians after the FDA warning. However, a recent cohort study raises some practical questions about the FDA warnings on the use of citalopram and may also provide clinicians with a good guidance for prudent use of citalopram in clinical practice.