Efficacy Of Citalopram Research Articles

Citalopram for social anxiety disorder: an open-label pilot study in refractory and nonrefractory patients.

There is limited systematic data assessing alternate pharmacotherapy of social anxiety disorder in patients failing to tolerate or fully respond to initial treatment; no data specifically address the efficacy of citalopram in this scenario. We present a prospective open-label trial of citalopram in 10 patients with generalized social anxiety disorder, 6 of 10 of whom had not responded to or not tolerated a prior treatment intervention for the disorder. Citalopram, at a mean dose of 55 mg (SD+/-12.7 mg) was well tolerated, and patients improved significantly on all outcome measures. Results of this study suggest that citalopram may be a safe and effective treatment for generalized social anxiety disorder, including patients who have failed to tolerate or respond to a prior treatment trial.

Efficacy of citalopram in anorexia nervosa: a pilot study

Introduction: Anorexia nervosa (AN) still lacks a defined treatment. Since fluoxetine proved effective in weight-restored anorexics, this pilot study evaluates the efficacy of another SSRI, citalopram, in restricting-type AN. Experimental procedures: Fifty-two female anorectic outpatients were randomized in the citalopram ( n=26) and waiting list ( n=26) as a control group. Efficacy was assessed using Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Eating Disorder Inventory-Symptom Checklist, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Symptom Checklist-90 and Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis II Disorders. Results: Thirteen patients dropped-out, thus 19 patients received citalopram and 20 remained in the control group. After 3 months of treatment, the citalopram group showed a decrease on BDI and SCL-90 Depression subscale and an improvement of baseline obsessive compulsive features on SCL-90, EDI-2 impulsiveness and Trait-anger on STAXI. Weight gain was similar in the two groups. Discussion: These preliminary results support the efficacy of citalopram in anorectics. Citalopram seems to improve depression, obsessive–compulsive symptoms, impulsiveness and Trait-anger.

Efficacy of Citalopram in the prevention of recurrent depression in elderly patients: Placebo-controlled study of maintenance therapy

The highly recurrent nature of major depression in the young and the elderly warrants long-term antidepressant treatment. To compare the prophylactic efficacy of citalopram and placebo in elderly patients; to evaluate long-term tolerability of citalopram. Out-patients, > or =65 years, with unipolar major depression (DSM-IV: 296.2 x or 296.3 x) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score > or =22 were treated with citalopram 20-40 mg for 8 weeks. Responders continued on their final fixed dose of citalopram for 16 weeks before randomisation to double-blind treatment with citalopram or placebo for at least 48 weeks. Nineteen of the 60 patients using citalopram v. 41 of the 61 patients using placebo had recurrence. Time to recurrence was significantly different between citalopram- and placebo-patients, in favour of citalopram (log-rank test, P<0.0001). Long-term treatment was well tolerated. Long-term treatment with citalopram is effective in preventing recurrence of depression in the elderly and is well tolerated.

20 P Efficacy of citalopram for the treatment of patients with functional bowel disorders and functional abdominal pain

20 P Efficacy of citalopram for the treatment of patients with functional bowel disorders and functional abdominal pain

Citalopram efficacy in PAD and OCD disorders

Citalopram efficacy in PAD and OCD disorders

Treatment of social anxiety disorder with citalopram

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are used as treatment for generalized and specific social phobias (social anxiety disorders). The efficacy of citalopram, an SSRI, for the treatment of social anxiety disorders has not yet been fully evaluated. These cases suggest that citalopram may be an effective treatment for social anxiety disorder (social phobia). These cases are consistent with two other published reports with citalopram from outside the US. Randomized controlled studies are warranted.

The Clinical Experience of Citalopram in the Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Report of Two Persian Gulf War Veterans

To determine the efficacy of the antidepressant citalopram in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The cases of two Persian Gulf War veterans are described to illustrate the effects of citalopram in treating their PTSD symptoms. In these two clinical case studies, citalopram led to remission of some of the PTSD symptoms. More controlled studies are warranted to further prove the efficacy of citalopram as an agent of choice for the treatment of PTSD.

A pilot study of the effectiveness of citalopram in patients with premenstrual syndrome with prior selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment failure

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a chronic mood disorder experienced by reproductive-aged women. Evidence suggests that the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) effectively reduce PMS symptoms. A randomized, placebo-controlled study of citalopram (CIT), the most selective SSRI, demonstrated that intermittent dosing (luteal phase) significantly reduced PMS symptoms. Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of CIT in patients with PMS who did not respond to previous SSRIs. Methods: Sixteen women (10 intermittent, 6 daily) with no symptom improvement after two menstrual cycles on an SSRI were given open-label CIT (20–40 mg/day). Scores on the 17-item daily symptom report (DSR) and for each of 5 symptom clusters measured CIT efficacy. Intermittent and daily dosing scores were compared. Results: Baseline DSR scores were significantly improved ( P = 0.02) in both groups, with no difference between the intermittent and daily dosing groups. Clinical improvement (≥50% decrease in DSR) was reported by 80% and 66% of the intermittent and daily dosing groups, respectively. Symptoms were reduced to postmenstrual levels in 60% of the intermittent dosing group. Mood ( P = 0.01) and appetite ( P = 0.01) improved significantly. Function and pain also improved. Conclusion: Citalopram significantly reduced PMS symptoms in patients who failed previous SSRI treatment. These data suggest that intermittent CIT dosing is effective in the treatment of PMS.

The efficacy of citalopram in the treatment of patients who failed treatment with fluoxetine or paroxetine

The efficacy of citalopram in the treatment of patients who failed treatment with fluoxetine or paroxetine

Citalopram Therapy for Depression

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. Published reports of randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical studies of citalopram were retrieved using a MEDLINE literature search. Search terms included citalopram, SSRI, TCA (tricylic 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. 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. 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.

Efficacy of intravenous citalopram compared with oral citalopram for severe depression: Safety and efficacy data from a double-blind, double-dummy trial

Background: Intravenous administration is often beneficial in the treatment of severely depressed patients. It is mainly the tri- and tetracyclic antidepressant drugs that can be administered intravenously. However, these drugs have a less favourable safety profile than newer antidepressants, such as the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Citalopram is the only SSRI that is available in a formulation for infusion. This double-blind, randomised, multicentre trial was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of citalopram infusion (40 mg per day) and citalopram tablet (40 mg per day). Methods: Patients were randomised to receive either placebo tablet plus citalopram infusion (the infusion group; n=135) or citalopram tablet plus placebo infusion (the tablet group; n=119). After receiving randomised treatment for eight days, all patients entered an open treatment phase, during which they received oral citalopram 40 mg per day for five weeks. Results: Although there was no difference in Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores at the end of the randomised treatment period, by the end of the open treatment phase the reduction in MADRS scores was significantly greater in the infusion group than in the tablet group ( p=0.015). The infusion group also showed superior efficacy in Clinical Global Impressions assessments. Citalopram was equally well tolerated in both treatment groups. Conclusions: This trial confirmed the efficacy of citalopram 40 mg per day, and clearly supports the use of citalopram infusion in the treatment of severely depressed, hospitalised patients.

Citalopram for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder

We investigated the comparative efficacy of citalopram vs. citalopram administered with clomipramine, in treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Sixteen adult outpatients participated in a 90-day, randomized, open-label trial. Eligible patients were aged 18 to 45 years, had moderate to severe DSM-III-R OCD of ≥ one year's duration, a baseline Yale-Brown scale (Y-BOCS) score of ≥ 25 and no other active axis I diagnosis, and had failed adequate clomipramine and fluoxetine trials. The citalopram-plus-clomipramine group ( n = 9) experienced a significantly larger percent decrease in mean Y-BOCS score by day 90 than the citalopram alone group ( n = 7). Only one citalopram patient decreased her score by ≥ 35%, and two by ≥ 25%. All nine citalopram-plus-clomipramine patients experienced decreases of 35%. Side effects were mild to moderate in both groups. We also treated with citalopram six OCD patients who had not tolerated fluoxetine alone and clomipramine alone; three achieved Y-BOCS score decreases of ≥ 35% at 90 days. Since citalopram does not significantly affect clomipramine metabolism, the improvement in the combined drug group is unlikely to have resulted from increased plasma clomipramine levels. Double-blind controlled trials are needed of citalopram in OCD, and of combining citalopram with clomipramine in treatment-resistant OCD.

Double-blind randomised trial assessing the efficacy of citalopram in controlling subjective phobic symptoms in patients with panic disorder

Double-blind randomised trial assessing the efficacy of citalopram in controlling subjective phobic symptoms in patients with panic disorder

Use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram in the treatment of generalized social phobia

Background: There is increasing evidence that social phobia responds to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, the efficacy of citalopram, the most selective of the SSRIs, in social phobia has not been well documented. Methods: Citalopram was used on an open-label naturalistic basis in 22 social phobia patients presenting for treatment (40 mg daily for 12 weeks). Patients were rated with the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) scale. Results: Ratings on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale and the CGI were significantly improved after treatment. A total of 86% of patients were responders at week 12. Limitation: Open, uncontrolled study. Conclusions: Citalopram appears to be effective in the treatment of social phobia. A controlled trial is warranted to confirm these data. The role of serotonin in social phobia deserves further study.

Comparison of the tolerability and efficacy of citalopram and??amitriptyline in elderly depressed patients treated in general practice

The enhanced sensitivity of the elderly to the side effects produced by tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and the frequency and type of adverse events, have made the treatment of depression in this group difficult. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been reported to produce significantly fewer undesirable side effects and display better tolerance than TCAs. We compared the therapeutic actions and side effects produced by citalopram, the most selective SSRI available, with amitriptyline in a group of elderly patients (aged 65 and older) diagnosed with major depression. In a double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, multicenter comparison of citalopram (20 or 40 mg/day) and amitriptyline (50 or 100 mg/day), patients who did not respond to placebo during a 1-week single-blind phase were randomly assigned to receive citalopram or amitriptyline for 8 weeks. Efficacy measures included the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Clinical Global Impressions. Both drug treatments produced equivalent time-related declines in severity of depression, so that by 8 weeks slightly more than 50% of the patients in each group experienced marked recovery, defined as MADRS scores ≤ 12. Amitriptyline produced a greater overall incidence of adverse events, including a significantly higher (P < 0.001) percentage of patients reporting dry mouth (34% vs. 7%), as well as a significantly higher (P < 0.02) incidence of somnolence. Constipation and fatigue also occurred more frequently in the amitriptyline than in the citalopram group. For only one event (nausea) did the citalopram group report a significantly greater (P = 0.012) incidence (12.8% vs. 4.8%). On the basis of these results, it was concluded that citalopram is as effective an antidepressant as amitriptyline in the treatment of the depressed elderly. Because of its low incidence and low magnitude of side effects, citalopram seems especially useful in private practice. Depression and Anxiety 8:147–153, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Comparison of the tolerability and efficacy of citalopram and?amitriptyline in elderly depressed patients treated in general practice

The enhanced sensitivity of the elderly to the side effects produced by tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and the frequency and type of adverse events, have made the treatment of depression in this group difficult. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been reported to produce significantly fewer undesirable side effects and display better tolerance than TCAs. We compared the therapeutic actions and side effects produced by citalopram, the most selective SSRI available, with amitriptyline in a group of elderly patients (aged 65 and older) diagnosed with major depression. In a double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, multicenter comparison of citalopram (20 or 40 mg/day) and amitriptyline (50 or 100 mg/day), patients who did not respond to placebo during a 1-week single-blind phase were randomly assigned to receive citalopram or amitriptyline for 8 weeks. Efficacy measures included the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), and Clinical Global Impressions. Both drug treatments produced equivalent time-related declines in severity of depression, so that by 8 weeks slightly more than 50% of the patients in each group experienced marked recovery, defined as MADRS scores < or = 12. Amitriptyline produced a greater overall incidence of adverse events, including a significantly higher (P < 0.001) percentage of patients reporting dry mouth (34% vs. 7%), as well as a significantly higher (P < 0.02) incidence of somnolence. Constipation and fatigue also occurred more frequently in the amitriptyline than in the citalopram group. For only one event (nausea) did the citalopram group report a significantly greater (P = 0.012) incidence (12.8% vs. 4.8%). On the basis of these results, it was concluded that citalopram is as effective an antidepressant as amitriptyline in the treatment of the depressed elderly. Because of its low incidence and low magnitude of side effects, citalopram seems especially useful in private practice.

Use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram in a possible animal analogue of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Canine acral lick dermatitis (ALD) has been suggested as an animal analogue of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). A series of dogs with ALD or similar conditions were treated with citalopram, the most selective of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Six of nine (66.7%) dogs showed significant improvement. Given the apparent efficacy of citalopram in the treatment of OCD and related disorders, these data provide further evidence that ALD is a useful animal analogue of OCD.

Long-term treatment of elderly individuals with emotional disturbances: an open study with citalopram.

In the present open study, the long-term safety, tolerability, and efficacy of citalopram in the treatment of elderly people with emotional disturbances were studied. One hundred twenty-three elderly patients with symptoms of depression-anxiety were included. Most of the patients (76%) were demented. Fifty-two patients completed a 12-month treatment. Irritability, depressed mood, anxiety, restlessness, and fear-panic were significantly reduced. The severity of illness from baseline to Month 9 was rated as significantly improved. The side effects were infrequent and mostly mild.

The Clinical Efficacy of Citalopram in Treatment of Emotional Disturbances in Dementia Disorders a Nordic Multicentre Study

In this multicenter study, the clinical efficacy of citalopram was investigated in 98 patients with moderate AD/SDAT or VD using a combined double-blind and open technique with placebo and citalopram. Analyses were made for each diagnosis after four weeks of double-blind treatment. Patients with AD/SDAT treated with citalopram showed a significant improvement in emotional bluntness, confusion, irritability, anxiety, fear/panic, depressed mood and restlessness. Those improvements were not found after treatment with placebo. There were no significant improvements in patients with VD. No improvements were recorded in motor or cognitive impairment. Citalopram provoked few and comparatively mild side-effects. None of the changes observed during the double-blind withdrawal period were identified as withdrawal symptoms or rebound phenomena.