The use of citalopram for the treatment of cataplexy.
This is a series of cases describing the use of citalopram for the treatment of cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy. Cataplexy is the most specific symptom of narcolepsy, being characterized by a sudden and temporary loss of muscle tonus, triggered by episodes of emotion during vigil. Some antidepressants, besides gamma-hydroxybutyrate, are used for the control of cataplexy. As gamma-hydroxybutyrate is not available in Brazil, local treatment is usually done by the use of antidepressants. Citalopram is a selective inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, with reasonable price and with fewer side effects when compared with other drugs of the same type. In this study, we report a series of cases with patients with narcolepsy and cataplexy, treated with citalopram for the control of cataplexy.
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil ; Department of General Practice, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Hassana de Almeida
Hde A
Fonseca
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Danielle Antunes
DA
Lopes
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Danielle
D
Pereira
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Danilo Anunciatto
DA
Sguillar
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Eduardo
E
Lopes
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil ; Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic, Marcílio Dias Naval Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Nilce Sanny Costa da Silva
NS
Behrens
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Taís Figueiredo de Araújo
TF
Lima
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Marcia
M
Pradella-Hallinan
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Juliana
J
Castro
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Sergio
S
Tufik
Outpatient Facility of Diurnal Excessive Sleepiness, Department of Psychobiology, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil ; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Fernando Morgadinho Santos
FM
Coelho
Cataplexy; Citalopram; Narcolepsy; Treatment