Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 31, 2026

Thermostabilization, Expression, Purification, and Crystallization of the Human Serotonin Transporter Bound to S-citalopram
Published on: November 27, 2016
The use of citalopram for the treatment of cataplexy
Hassana de Almeida Fonseca1, Danielle Antunes Lopes2, Danielle Pereira2
1Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil ; Department of General Practice, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract:
This is a series of cases describing the use of citalopram for the treatment of cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy. Cataplexy is the most specific symptom of narcolepsy, being characterized by a sudden and temporary loss of muscle tonus, triggered by episodes of emotion during vigil. Some antidepressants, besides gamma-hydroxybutyrate, are used for the control of cataplexy. As gamma-hydroxybutyrate is not available in Brazil, local treatment is usually done by the use of antidepressants. Citalopram is a selective inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, with reasonable price and with fewer side effects when compared with other drugs of the same type. In this study, we report a series of cases with patients with narcolepsy and cataplexy, treated with citalopram for the control of cataplexy.
Related Concept Videos
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Parkinson's Disease: Treatment
Parkinson's Disease is primarily a result of the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The cornerstone of...
Antidepressant Drugs: MAOIs and Other Agents
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic...
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
