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Citalopram in children and adolescents with depression or anxiety
Jennifer L Baumgartner1, Graham J Emslie, M Lynn Crismon
1College of Pharmacy, University of Texas, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Austin, USA.
Objective:
To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of citalopram in children and adolescents.
Method:
Retrospective chart review of 17 outpatients treated with citalopram at a tertiary care center. Subjects were diagnosed with a depressive or anxiety disorder with or without comorbidities and may have received concurrent medications. The primary outcome measure was the Clinical Global Impression Improvement Scale (CGI-I). Secondary outcome measures were the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R), Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, and Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Adverse effects were assessed via chart documentation.
Results:
Patients were treated with a mean citalopram dose of 22.4 +/- 7.3 mg for 12 weeks. Thirteen patients (76%) had CGI-I scores /=50% reduction from baseline CDRS-R score, with 3 patients (38%) meeting criteria for remission. Three of 4 patients had a >50% reduction for baseline SCARED-parent score. Overall, adverse effects appeared minor and transient. One patient discontinued citalopram due to intolerable adverse effects, and 1 patient required dose reduction.
Conclusions:
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. Controlled studies in this patient population are indicated.