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Published on: January 7, 2019
Citalopram as adjunctive therapy in bipolar depression
D J Kupfer1, K N Chengappa, A J Gelenberg
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, PA 15213, USA. kupferdj@msx.upmc.edu
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|January 10, 2002
Summary
Adjunctive citalopram effectively treated bipolar depression in a clinical trial, showing high response and remission rates. The treatment was well-tolerated with few adverse events, supporting its use in bipolar disorder management.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Bipolar depression presents significant treatment challenges.
- Evaluating adjunctive citalopram in patients diagnosed with bipolar depression (DSM-IV criteria).
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness and safety of citalopram as an add-on therapy for bipolar depression.
- To determine response and remission rates in patients receiving citalopram alongside mood stabilizers.
Main Methods:
- Open-label, add-on design study over 8 weeks of acute treatment.
- Patients received citalopram plus ongoing mood stabilizer treatment; antipsychotics, anxiolytics, and hypnotics were permitted.
- Responders continued citalopram for an additional 16 weeks of treatment.
Main Results:
- Out of 45 subjects, 33 completed the acute phase; 64% (21) responded to treatment.
- In the continuation phase, 14 patients achieved sustained remission.
- Citalopram was well-tolerated, with low rates of adverse events like headache and nausea, despite extensive concomitant medication use.
Conclusions:
- High response and sustained remission rates, coupled with good tolerability, support citalopram for bipolar I or II depression.
- Findings suggest the need for controlled, double-blind trials to further validate citalopram's efficacy in bipolar disorder treatment regimens.
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