PMID- 9031994
OWN - NLM
STAT- MEDLINE
DCOM- 19970522
LR  - 20220321
IS  - 0268-1315 (Print)
IS  - 0268-1315 (Linking)
VI  - 11
IP  - 4
DP  - 1996 Dec
TI  - Phasic craving for carbohydrate observed with citalopram.
PG  - 273-8
AB  - The serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have clinically and 
      ancedotally been associated with nausea and weight loss as a side effect of their 
      action. The tricyclic antidepressants have been linked to carbohydrate (CHO) 
      craving and weight gain in patients with major depressive disorders. This side 
      effect has been attributed to the strong anti-histaminergic actions of these 
      agents and is recognized as a causal factor of non-compliance in a substantial 
      percentage of patients. CHO craving is an important feature and complication of 
      the treatment of depression and is often ignored. A total of 18 patients were 
      treated with the SSRI citalopram in our mood disorder clinic. In eight cases 
      there was a significant increase in CHO craving together with weight gain shortly 
      after initiation of treatment. The craving for CHO took on a phasic presentation. 
      These cases are presented, together with data on the change in mood and anxiety 
      symptom rating scales. Our observations appear paradoxical, given that serotonin 
      (5-HT) typically mediates a reduction in CHO intake and that citalopram displays 
      potent and select 5-HT-enchancing actions. However, the receptor binding profile 
      of citalopram may predict a risk for inducing this adverse event. These, together 
      with serotonergic, dopaminergic, histaminergic and other possible mechanisms are 
      discussed. A profound influence on patient acceptability was observed, suggesting 
      that the impact on compliance needs to be considered.
FAU - Bouwer, C D
AU  - Bouwer CD
AD  - Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch Medical School, Tygerberg, 
      Republic of South Africa.
FAU - Harvey, B H
AU  - Harvey BH
LA  - eng
PT  - Clinical Trial
PT  - Journal Article
PL  - England
TA  - Int Clin Psychopharmacol
JT  - International clinical psychopharmacology
JID - 8609061
RN  - 0 (Dietary Carbohydrates)
RN  - 0DHU5B8D6V (Citalopram)
SB  - IM
MH  - Adolescent
MH  - Adult
MH  - Body Weight/*drug effects/physiology
MH  - Citalopram/*adverse effects
MH  - Depressive Disorder/*drug therapy/physiopathology
MH  - *Dietary Carbohydrates
MH  - Female
MH  - Humans
MH  - Male
MH  - Middle Aged
EDAT- 1996/12/01 00:00
MHDA- 1996/12/01 00:01
CRDT- 1996/12/01 00:00
PHST- 1996/12/01 00:00 [pubmed]
PHST- 1996/12/01 00:01 [medline]
PHST- 1996/12/01 00:00 [entrez]
AID - 10.1097/00004850-199612000-00009 [doi]
PST - ppublish
SO  - Int Clin Psychopharmacol. 1996 Dec;11(4):273-8. doi: 
      10.1097/00004850-199612000-00009.