Citalopram combined with behavioral therapy reduces cocaine use: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Cocaine dependence continues to be a significant problem in the United States, without any approved pharmacotherapy. Promising findings from preclinical research on the effects of cocaine on serotonin lead to examination of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as potential treatments for cocaine dependence with mixed results, possibly due to drug interactions or specifics of concomitant behavioral therapy. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the SSRI citalopram would reduce cocaine positive urines in a 12-week, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Seventy-six cocaine dependent patients received either citalopram 20 mg per day or placebo along with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and contingency management (CM). Citalopram treated subjects showed a significant reduction in cocaine-positive urines during treatment compared to placebo treated subjects. No differences were noted in retention between the two groups. Side effects reported for citalopram were mild, with none leading to discontinuation of study drug. Results of this study support further examination of citalopram in combination with behavioral therapy as a treatment for cocaine dependence.
Moeller
F Gerard
FG
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas 77030, USA. moeller@uth.tmc.edu
Schmitz
Joy M
JM
Steinberg
Joel L
JL
Green
Charles M
CM
Reist
Christopher
C
Lai
Lingo Y
LY
Swann
Alan C
AC
Grabowski
John
J
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection / Q000523:psychology; D014040:Token Economy
D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors