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Objectives: The aim of the study was to describe efficacy, tolerability and side effects of citalopram in the treatment of child and adolescent obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Methods: This open-label trial of citalopram (10-20 mg daily) included 23 cases. Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Questionnaire (MOCQ), Child Depression Inventory (CDI), State and Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-C) were given to all children during the detailed psychiatric interviews. The treatment response was evaluated using Clinical Global Improvement Scales (CGI). All cases were assessed by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR).
Results: After the 8 weeks of citalopram treatment, statistically significant improvements were found in all scores. 20 subjects (86.95%) had comorbid diagnosis or conditions. Depression was the most common comorbid diagnosis (6 cases, 26.08%). 13 subjects (56.52%) had side effects, and all side effects were highly similar to those reported from the use of other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). However, sedation during the day-time was obvious in 5 of the cases (21.73%) during the first week. None the subjects worsened during citalopram treatment and none was excluded because of serious side effects during 8 weeks.
Conclusions: These results suggested that citalopram has seemed to be quite effective and tolerable of child and adolescent with OCD, and comorbid anxiety disorders.