Some statistically significant differences between citalopram and other antidepressants for the acute phase treatment of major depression were found in terms of efficacy , tolerability and acceptability .
Citalopram was more efficacious than paroxetine and reboxetine and more acceptable than tricyclics , reboxetine and venlafaxine , however , it seemed to be less efficacious than escitalopram .
BACKGROUND Recent US and UK clinical practice guidelines recommend that second-generation antidepressants should be considered amongst the best first-line options when drug therapy is indicated for a depressive episode .
Systematic review s have already highlighted some differences in efficacy between second-generation antidepressants .
Citalopram , one of the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRI ) introduced in the market , is one of these antidepressant drugs that clinicians use for routine depression care .
OBJECTIVES To assess the evidence for the efficacy , acceptability and tolerability of citalopram in comparison with tricyclics , heterocyclics , other SSRIs and other conventional and non-conventional antidepressants in the acute-phase treatment of major depression .
Therapy of interferon-induced depression in chronic hepatitis C with citalopram: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Background : Interferon-induced depression represents a major complication in antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus ( HCV ) infection . Aim : To evaluate in a placebo-controlled study the efficacy of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( SSRI ) in HCV patients on antiviral therapy with interferon-associated depression . Methods : 100 HCV out patients were included in a r and omised , double-blind , placebo-controlled study . During interferon therapy ( peginterferon alfa-2b plus ribavirin ) , depression was monitored using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale ( HADS ) .  Patients with clinical ly relevant interferon-induced depression ( HADS ⩾9 ) were r and omly assigned to placebo or citalopram ( SSRI , 20 mg/day ) . Results : In 28 patients ( 28 % ) , HADS scores increased to > 8 during interferon therapy . They were treated with placebo ( n = 14 ) or SSRI ( n = 14 ) . HADS scores declined significantly in SSRI patients within four weeks of therapy ( p<0.001 ) but not in placebo patients . This difference between subgroups was statistically significant ( p = 0.032 ) . Unblinding became necessary in five placebo patients as a result of intolerable depression . Rescue medication ( 20 mg citalopram ) led to a significant decrease in HADS scores ( p = 0.008 ) . All citalopram patients were able to complete interferon therapy as planned . As an interim analysis showed a significant superiority of SSRI over placebo , the study was terminated prematurely . Three patients , who became depressed afterwards , were treated in an unblinded fashion with citalopram . Conclusions : The findings demonstrate clearly that citalopram treatment is highly effective in HCV patients on interferon therapy , when initiated after the onset of clinical ly relevant depressive symptoms . This suggests that a general SSRI prophylaxis is not necessary in these patients
Some statistically significant differences between citalopram and other antidepressants for the acute phase treatment of major depression were found in terms of efficacy , tolerability and acceptability .
Citalopram was more efficacious than paroxetine and reboxetine and more acceptable than tricyclics , reboxetine and venlafaxine , however , it seemed to be less efficacious than escitalopram .
BACKGROUND Recent US and UK clinical practice guidelines recommend that second-generation antidepressants should be considered amongst the best first-line options when drug therapy is indicated for a depressive episode .
Systematic review s have already highlighted some differences in efficacy between second-generation antidepressants .
Citalopram , one of the first selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors ( SSRI ) introduced in the market , is one of these antidepressant drugs that clinicians use for routine depression care .
OBJECTIVES To assess the evidence for the efficacy , acceptability and tolerability of citalopram in comparison with tricyclics , heterocyclics , other SSRIs and other conventional and non-conventional antidepressants in the acute-phase treatment of major depression .