title: Baclofen add-on to citalopram in treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a chronic disabling illness, resulting from exposure to extreme traumatic event. Although different pharmacologic agents are suggested for treatment of PTSD, none have been completely effective in eliminating symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess the use of baclofen as an add-on to citalopram in treatment of PTSD.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind clinical trial, 40 Iranian combat veterans with PTSD were randomly assigned to 2 groups. The first group received a combination treatment of 20 to 60 mg/d citalopram and 40 mg/d baclofen, and the second group received 20 to 60 mg/d citalopram plus placebo. Symptom severity was assessed by Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale at the beginning of the study and after 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Global Assessment of Functioning and Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety and Depression were also used at the same periods. Data were analyzed with independent t test and paired t test using SPSS software version 13 (IBM, Armonk, NY).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-three male patients (baclofen group, 13 patients; placebo group, 10 patients) completed the study. Dropout from the treatment was not caused by adverse effects of the new medications in any of the subjects. Baclofen group showed significantly larger improvement in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale total (P = 0.040), hyperarousal (P = 0.020), and avoidance (0.020) scores, Global Assessment of Functioning score (0.001), depression (P = 0.000), and anxiety (P = 0.000) after 8 weeks of treatment. No intergroup difference was found in improvement of reexperience symptoms (P = 0.740).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Baclofen showed to be an effective add-on to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in treatment of PTSD for better symptom recovery and functional improvement.
authors: From the *Department of Psychiatry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; and †Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
authors: Ali Akhoundpour
authors: AA
authors: Manteghi
authors: Paria
authors: P
authors: Hebrani
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Mortezania
authors: Mehri Baghban
authors: MB
authors: Haghighi
authors: Arash
authors: A
authors: Javanbakht
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001418:Baclofen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000523:psychology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D001418:Baclofen; D015283:Citalopram; D058786:GABA-B Receptor Agonists; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors