The serotonin uptake inhibitor citalopram attenuates ethanol intake

No effective drug for decreasing ethanol intake is available for clinical use. Our previous studies showed that zimeldine decreased ethanol intake in rats and nondepressed alcohol abusers. However, zimeldine was withdrawn from the market because of serious toxicity. We tested citalopram, a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor, in 39 male nondepressed early-stage problem drinkers (aged 19 to 61 years). Subjects were randomly allocated to receive either citalopram, 20 (n = 20) or 40 (n = 19) mg/day orally, or placebo in a double-blind, crossover trial. Citalopram administration and ethanol intake were assessed by self-report and objectively. Citalopram, 20 mg/day, did not show an effect. However, citalopram, 40 mg/day, decreased the number of drinks consumed (F1,17 = 5.27; P less than 0.05) and increased the number of abstinent days (F1,17 = 13.18; P less than 0.005). The effect is probably through modulation of the neurobiologic mechanisms regulating ethanol intake. Our results suggest a new pharmacologic approach to decrease ethanol intake.