title: Variations in response to citalopram in men and women with alcohol dependence.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the differential effects of citalopram on alcohol consumption in nondepressed women and men with mild to moderate alcohol dependence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, placebo-controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-one subjects (34 men and 27 women).
  
  
  METHODS
  After a 2-week baseline, subjects were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of citalopram (40 mg per day) (n = 15 women, 16 men) or placebo (n = 12 women, 18 men). All received brief standard psychosocial interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Alcohol Dependence Scale, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale, Michigan Alcohol Screening Test, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and daily alcohol intake.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Pretreatment sex differences were evident in alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence, alcohol-related problems and on anxiety and depression measures. After treatment, analyses of covariance with depression and anxiety scores as covariates revealed a differential benefit of citalopram for men. Men receiving citalopram reduced average drinks per day by 44%, whereas women exhibited a 27% decrease (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men may benefit more than women from citalopram in the treatment of alcohol dependence. These findings highlight the importance of examining sex as a significant variable in evaluating response to pharmacotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Ont. naranjo@fisher.sunnybrook.utoronto.ca
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Naranjo
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Knoke
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Bremner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors