Citalopram in depressive disorders

ABSTRACT

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