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Citalopram Reduces Depression and Anxiety in Children and Adolescents

A small retrospective review involving 17 tertiary centre outpatients suggests the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram is effective and well tolerated in depressed or highly anxious children and adolescents with co-morbidities, report researchers based at the University of Texas at Austin.

All but two of the patients were Caucasian. Twelve had been diagnosed with depressive disorder and five with anxiety disorder. Eleven had co-morbidities and possible concurrent medication. They received a mean dose of citalopram of 22.4 mg. for 12 weeks.

Thirteen patients (76%) had Clinical Global Impression of Improvement scores of 2 on two consecutive visits -- eight of 12 patients with depression and all five patients with an anxiety disorder. Mean time to response was 7.6 weeks.

Six of eight patients (75%) with depression had a 50% or greater reduction from their baseline score according to the Children's Depression Rating scale Revised (CDR-R). Three patients (38%) met the criteria for remission on the (CDR-R) with scores of 28 or less at last visit.

Adverse effects were mostly minor and transient. One patient discontinued citalopram due to intolerable side effects and one patient needed dose reduction.

"Citalopram appears to be effective and well tolerated in this group of children and adolescents with depressive or anxiety disorders and a high degree of comorbidity," the authors conclude. Controlled studies in this patient population are indicated.
Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2003;36(11):1692-1697. "Citalopram in children and adolescents with depression or anxiety"

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