Sections
Excerpt
Citalopram (Celexa) and its pharmacologically active enantiomer, escitalopram (Lexapro), are among the most selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors available. Both drugs are widely prescribed and have been shown in large-scale controlled trials to be effective in the treatment of depression; escitalopram has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Generic formulations of both drugs are now available. Both drugs are well tolerated in patients and show a low potential for pharmacokinetic drug–drug interactions. Citalopram and escitalopram have similar effectiveness in the treatment of depression, although some studies suggest a modest superiority of escitalopram over citalopram on some measures of efficacy, including a possibly faster onset of therapeutic effect for escitalopram. Antagonism of the effects of escitalopram by R-citalopram has been invoked to explain the purported therapeutic differences between the two drugs. Also, the affinity of citalopram for histamine receptors appears to reside in the R-enantiomer, suggesting that escitalopram has a decreased potential for antihistaminergic side effects. Finally, in terms of cardiac safety, citalopram has a greater potential to prolong the electrocardiogram (ECG) QT interval and produce potentially serious arrhythmias.
Access content
To read the fulltext, please use one of the options below to sign in or purchase access.- Personal login
- Institutional Login
- Sign in via OpenAthens
- Register for access
-
Please login/register if you wish to pair your device and check access availability.
Not a subscriber?
PsychiatryOnline subscription options offer access to the DSM-5 library, books, journals, CME, and patient resources. This all-in-one virtual library provides psychiatrists and mental health professionals with key resources for diagnosis, treatment, research, and professional development.
Need more help? PsychiatryOnline Customer Service may be reached by emailing [email protected] or by calling 800-368-5777 (in the U.S.) or 703-907-7322 (outside the U.S.).