title: A double-blind double-dummy study of citalopram comparing infusion versus oral administration.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compares antidepressant efficacy and tolerability of citalopram given either orally or as a slow drop infusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Citalopram (40 mg/day) was administered double-blindly as tablets or slow-drop infusion during the first 10 days and then open, orally, up to treatment Day 42.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 60 moderately to severely depressed patients, the Hamilton depression total score (17-items) at baseline was 23.9 and 23.6 in the active infusion (n = 30) and active tablet (n = 30) group, respectively. These scores dropped in both groups to 15.6 and 16.9 on Day 10, and to 10.3 and 10.2 on Day 42. Response rates (delta Hamilton > or = 50%) amounted to 33.3% and 17.9% on Day 10, and 66.2% and 63.3% on Day 42, without a relevant group difference in citalopram plasma concentration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Slow-drop infusion with citalopram shows a similar risk/benefit relationship to oral citalopram. The design of this study allowed us to evaluate pharmacological but not psychological factors which may contribute to response to slow-drop infusion.
authors.affiliation: Unité de Biochimie et Psychopharmacologie Clinique, Département Universitaire de Psychiatrie Adulte, Site de Cery, Prilly-Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nil
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bertschy
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jecker
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brändli
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morand
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kasas
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Vuagniaux
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ramseier
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D015283:Citalopram