Reactions 639 - 22 Feb 1997

Citalopram

Bodyweight gain: 8 case reportsCarbohydrate craving and bodyweight gain developed in 6

women and 2 men shortly after they started treatment withcitalopram 20–40 mg/day to treat major depressive disorders.

The patients, aged 18–46 years, gained from 4.8–11kgduring the first 4 weeks of treatment with citalopram. All but 1patient discontinued the agent in week 5 because ofbodyweight gain.

Carbohydrate craving was reported by 1 patient 10 daysafter starting citalopram. She gained 8kg in bodyweight during4 weeks of treatment. The agent was stopped and at follow-up2 weeks later she had lost 2.4kg in bodyweight.

Carbohydrate craving began in another patient 6 days afterstarting alteplase. He gained 9kg in bodyweight after 5 weeks’therapy. He began an exercise programme and his bodyweightstabilised, but he had not attained his pretreatmentbodyweight at follow-up 7 months later. [Details of otherpatients not stated.]

Author comment: These findings may have significantclinical relevance, since they may influence compliance inpatients who are already obese, or who have experiencedweight-management problems previously.Bouwer CD, et al. Phasic craving for carbohydrate observed with citalopram.International Clinical Psychopharmacology 11: 273-278, Dec 1996 - SouthAfrica 800497676

1

Reactions 22 Feb 1997 No. 6390114-9954/10/0639-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved