Effectiveness and tolerability of citalopram for the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in children and adolescents: an open-label study.
To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of citalopram for the acute treatment of children and adolescents suffering from depression and/or anxiety disorders. As much as 78 outpatients, aged 7-18 years with a diagnosis of depressive and/or anxiety disorder, completed an 8-week open trial with citalopram (20-40 mg/day). Outcome, side effects and suicidality were assessed weekly to bi-weekly using appropriate rating scales. At endpoint 56% of subjects were found to be responders (Clinical Global Impression-Improvement [CGI-I] Scale <or= 2). Subjects with less severe psychopathology and subjects with anxiety disorders showed a more favorable response. As much as 43% of depressed and 51% of anxious subjects had a 50% or greater reduction in scores on our secondary outcome measures, Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) and Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED). Most reported adverse events were mild to moderate and did not affect medication adherence. No increase in suicidality was observed during the study. Citalopram was moderately effective, generally well tolerated and safe for the acute treatment of depressed and anxious children and adolescents.
Feinberg Child Study Center, Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 14 Kaplan Street, 49202, Petach-Tikva, Tel Aviv, Israel. schirman@em.uni-frankfurt.de
Shella
S
Schirman
Sefi
S
Kronenberg
Alan
A
Apter
David
D
Brent
Nadine
N
Melhem
Nimrod
N
Pick
Miri
M
Carmel
Amos
A
Frisch
Abraham
A
Weizman
Doron
D
Gothelf
D000293:Adolescent; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D015283:Citalopram