A retrospective study of citalopram in adolescents with depression

Recent evidence suggests that the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are safe and efficacious in treating juveniles with depression. However, citalopram has not been reported in adolescents with depression. This study assessed the effectiveness and tolerability of citalopram in all adolescents with depressive disorders treated naturalistically in a community mental health center during a 1-year interval. Medical charts were retrospectively reviewed for 21 adolescents treated with citalopram for major depression (n = 14), bipolar depression (n = 4), or dysthymia (n = 3). An independent rater compared last visit to baseline depression using the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Severity and Improvement scales. Adolescents received citalopram for an average of 128.5 +/- 84 days at a final average dose of 26.5 +/- 13.1 mg/day. Sixteen of these 21 adolescents (76%) exhibited much to very much improvement as measured by the CGI, and severity of depression diminished significantly (z = 3.007, p <0.0026). Mild side effects, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, sedation, agitation, and sweating were reported by 7 (33%) of the patients. These data suggest that citalopram may be effective, safe, and well tolerated in the treatment of adolescents with depressive disorders and that controlled trials are warranted in this population.