Reactions 658 - 5 Jul 1997

★Citalopram

First report of clitoral priapism: 3 case reportsThree women developed clitoral priapism during treatment

of depression with citalopram.In all 3 patients, clitoral priapism occurred during the

second week of treatment with citalopram 20–40 mg/day. Twoof the patients (aged 23 and 54 years) experienced a singleepisode of clitoral priapism lasting 3 hours. Sexual arousalduring the episode was noted in 1 of these patients. Theremaining patient, aged 36 years, experienced 2 episodes ofpainful clitoral priapism on the same day which were notassociated with sexual arousal; each episode lasted for 1 hour.

Clitoral priapism resolved spontaneously in all 3 patientsand did not recur despite continued treatment withcitalopram.

Author comment: ‘These cases suggest the possibility ofSSRI [selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor]-associated clitoralpriapism, although the mechanism appears to be unclear.’Berk M, et al. Citalopram-associated clitoral priapism: a case series. InternationalClinical Psychopharmacology 12: 121-122, Mar 1997 - South Africa 800542226

» Editorial comment: A search of AdisBase and Medline didnot reveal any previous reports of clitoral priapism in women orpriapism in men.

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Reactions 5 Jul 1997 No. 6580114-9954/10/0658-0001/$14.95 Adis © 2010 Springer International Publishing AG. All rights reserved