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. 2005;7(4):162-6.
doi: 10.4088/pcc.v07n0404.

Open-label treatment with citalopram in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot study

Prakash S Masand  1 , Sanjay Gupta, Thomas L Schwartz, Subhdeep Virk, Ahmad Hameed, David S Kaplan
Affiliations

Open-label treatment with citalopram in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: a pilot study

Prakash S Masand et al. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 2005.

Abstract

Background: This open-label pilot study investigated whether the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a functional gastrointestinal disorder with frequent psychiatric comorbidity.

Method: Fifteen patients meeting Rome I criteria for IBS were administered open-label citalopram (20-40 mg/day) for 12 weeks. The study was conducted from October 2000 to August 2001.

Results: Twelve (80%) of the 15 subjects reported a > or = 50% decrease in the presence of abdominal pain, 10 (67%) reported a > or = 50% reduction in the severity of the symptom, and 12 (80%) reported a > or = 50% reduction in the frequency of the symptom. Approximately one half of the patients met criteria for remission (> or = 70% improvement) of abdominal pain.

Conclusion: Results of this pilot study suggest that large controlled trials are needed to further evaluate the efficacy of SSRIs such as citalopram for the treatment of IBS.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Response (≥ 50% improvement) of IBS Symptoms to Citalopram Treatment
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Remission (≥ 70% improvement) of IBS Symptoms With Citalopram Treatment
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Patients' Impressions of Improvement After 12 Weeks of Citalopram Treatmenta
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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