Citalopram--a specific 5-HT-reuptake inhibitor--as an antidepressant drug: a phase II multicentre trail.

1. Twenty-nine inpatients with a long history of rather severe, affective psychosis were admitted for a 4 weeks treatment with citalopram, a very specific 5-Ht-reuptake inhibitor. 2. Twenty-six patients (15 men and 11 women) completed the study and among these 15 had been depressed for more than 10 years and 19 showed an entry total score of more than 25 points on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (17 items). 3. When treated with a dose of 40-60 mg once daily, approximately one third of the patients showed a marked response and another third a moderate response to treatment. Fifteen of the patients showed a marked or moderate response already within the first two weeks of treatment. 4. Only a few and transient side effects (nausea and increased sweating) were recorded and, in particular, no anticholinergic or cardiovascular side effect were observed. 5. Taking into consideration the severity of illness as well as the long and serious anamneses, these results of treatment with citalopram must be considered most satisfactory.