Panic attacks associated with citalopram

Citalopram is the newest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) available in the United States. It is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of major depression. However, a number of studies have found it to be effective in the treatment of panic disorder as well. While there have been no previous case reports of citalopram inducing panic attacks in patients, this phenomenon has been reported with other members of the SSRI class of antidepressants. We present the case of a 61-year-old woman who had frank panic attacks after her citalopram dose was increased. She had had no history of anxiety symptoms. Anxiety abated completely upon discontinuance of citalopram therapy.