title: Suppressive effect of citalopram on plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Citalopram, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRi), is widely used to treat major depression. Patients treated with SSRIs suffer more frequently from bleeding disorders caused by the antiplatelet effect of SSRIs.
  
  
  METHODS
  To investigate the potential suppressive effect of citalopram treatment on plasma thromboxane B2 levels and its possible correlation with actual plasma concentration of citalopram. Plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2 and citalopram were examined in a cohort of 77 aspirin-treated geriatric patients before and in the third week of citalopram therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Citalopram therapy led to a significant decrease of plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2 compared to its levels before initiation of the therapy. Furthermore, we have shown negative correlation in thromboxane B2 levels and actual plasma concentration of citalopram. Actual plasma concentrations of citalopram were significantly higher compared to younger adult patients treated with similar dose.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this study we have shown that even short-term citalopram therapy led to a suppression of thromboxane B2 production in aspirin-treated patients. This suppressive effect correlates with actual plasma concentration of citalopram.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Geriatrics , First Faculty of Medicine , Prague , Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alusik
authors.forename: Zoltan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Paluch
authors.forename: Ilona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Burianova
authors.forename: Anatolij
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cybulja
authors.forename: Lenka
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sadilkova
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001241:Aspirin / Q000494:pharmacology; D015283:Citalopram / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013929:Thromboxane B2 / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D001241:Aspirin; D015283:Citalopram; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D013929:Thromboxane B2
keywords: Antiplatelet effect; SSRIs; aspirin; cyclooxygenase-1; depression; plasma