Possible Interaction: Ethanol and Citalopram

“Results In the alcohol-dependent individuals, the citalopram (compared with saline) resulted in decreased cue-induced craving for alcohol.”

“ Citalopram decreased interest, desire, craving, and liking for alcohol (all p < 0.05).”

“Similarly, studies of alcohol-dependent human subjects have shown that treatment with 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (i.e. zimeldine, citalopram , fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine) decreases the desire to drink alcohol and improves symptoms of alcohol-related anxiety and depression in patients who have undergone detoxification.”

“Similarly, studies of alcohol-dependent human subjects have shown that treatment with 5-HT reuptake inhibitors (i.e. zimeldine, citalopram , fluoxetine, and fluvoxamine) decreases the desire to drink alcohol and improves symptoms of alcohol-related anxiety and depression in patients who have undergone detoxification.”

“Case presentationWe report a 54 year old, Caucasian lady, with depression and alcohol dependence syndrome, who developed acute angle-closure glaucoma after an overdose of Citalopram , along with alcohol.”

“ Citalopram (40 mg) and Fluoxetine (60-80 mg) significantly reduce ethanol intake.”

“In our studies with moderately dependent alcoholics, 5-HT uptake inhibitors (e.g., citalopram ) reduced both the craving for and the consumption of alcohol.”

“Results showed that desipramine, but not SERT-selective doses of citalopram or fluoxetine, strongly potentiated the depressant (not hypothermic) effects of ethanol.”

“Sertraline, fluoxetine and citalopram (given before ethanol ) prevented the increase in the slow frequencies (0.5-4cps) in the recordings from the frontal cortex and hippocampus, which indicates on antagonism inhibitory action of ethanol.”

“Each compound reduced EtOH intake [Minimal Effective Doses (MEDs) 5, 10, 30 and 1 mg/kg for fluoxetine, citalopram , fluvoxamine, and paroxetine, respectively].”