Citalopram in depression--meta-analysis of intended and unintended effects.
An updated qualitative meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials is presented. When compared to reference drugs, especially tricyclics, citalopram after 6 weeks of treatment showed a similar intended effect on the depression index of the Hamilton scale. However, on the sleep index of the scale citalopram was weaker than tricyclics. When compared to placebo, citalopram after 6 weeks of treatment showed to be significantly superior on the Hamilton scale and on the global assessment scales. Analysis of unintended effects showed that citalopram had fewer side-effects than tricyclics, especially of anticholinergic types. In conclusion, citalopram has been found to be a non-sedating antidepressant which is well accepted by the patients due to its lack of unintended effects.
Bech
P
P
Department of Psychiatry, Frederiksborg General Hospital, Hillerød, Denmark.
Cialdella
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D015283:Citalopram