Citalopram in depressive disorders

Citalopram is a bicyclic phthaline and one of the newer Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors [SSRI] now available in Pakistan. A four weeks, open, clinical trial was carried out on 36 moderate to severely depressed patients to determine the efficacy and tolerability of this newer antidepressant. Twenty six% of patents showed improvement on Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression [HAMD] in the first week and fifty eight% at the end of four weeks [P<0 001] On CGI twenty eight% improved at the end of the study [P<0.001]. Sixty eight% of patients having suicide tendencies showed significant improvement. No significant changes in the ECG were recorded. No significant decrease in heart rate or drop in blood pressure was noted.The side effects were very few as the drug did not cause distressing anticholinergic effects or weight gain. This study supports the efficacy of citalopram for treatment of patients with moderate to severe depression However higher cost of the drug may restrict Its use for some of our patients

Patterns of drug abuse in patients at UN/PAK model drug abuse treatment centre

The present study describes basic data about the extent and varieties of drug abuse problem, in cases registered at UN/PAK Model Drug Abuse Treatment centre at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Lahore. Total number of cases presenting to the centre through Psychiatric OPD from October 1988 May 1997 was nine hundred and thirty six. Out of them 319 cases sought in-patient care for detoxification. Among admitted case, 247 had a new admission while 72 sought readmissions. Majority of the admitted cases presented with the problem of Heroin and poly drug abuse The findings would be discussed in terms of sociological perspectives and the lessons to be learnt from the experience of this centre