Initial, clinical trial of a new, specific 5-HT reuptake inhibitor, citalopram (Lu 10-171)

Ten endogenously depressed inpatients were treated once daily for at least 4 weeks with 40-50 mg citalopram (Lu 10-171) - a specific serotonin reuptake inhibitor. The Hamilton rating scale for depression and global assessment indicated pronounced or moderate response in seven patients and slight or no response in three. Side effects were few, mild and transient and neither anticholinergic nor cardiotoxic effects were observed. No difference was observed between responders and non-responders as regards psychopathology, plasma levels or uptake inhibition. It is concluded, that citalopram seems to possess antidepressant properties and that controlled trials are wanted to evaluate its therapeutic value as well as the underlying hypothesis of serotonin - deficient depressions.