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Placebo & Citalopram
Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that increases serotonin availability in the brain by blocking its reuptake at the presynaptic neuron.
Citalopram is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that increases serotonin availability in the brain by blocking its reuptake at the presynaptic neuron. Used for Major depressive disorder, Generalized anxiety disorder, Panic disorder.
At a glance
| Generic name | Placebo & Citalopram |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | University of Colorado, Denver |
| Drug class | Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) |
| Target | Serotonin transporter (SERT) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Psychiatry / Mental Health |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Citalopram selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin at the serotonin transporter (SERT), leading to increased serotonin concentration in the synaptic cleft. This enhanced serotonergic neurotransmission is thought to improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. The placebo component in this study design serves as a control to assess the true pharmacological effect of citalopram versus placebo response.
Approved indications
- Major depressive disorder
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Headache
- Somnolence
- Insomnia
- Dry mouth
- Diarrhea
- Sexual dysfunction
- Tremor
Key clinical trials
- Citalopram as a Posterior Cortical Protective Therapy in Parkinson Disease (PHASE2)
- Acupuncture and Escitalopram for Treating Major Depression Clinical Study (NA)
- Pattern Separation in Major Depressive Disorder (PHASE1)
- Optimized Predictive Treatment In Medications for Unipolar Major Depression (OPTIMUM-D) (PHASE4)
- Neuroimaging of Escitalopram in Autism Spectrum Disorder (PHASE2)
- Escitalopram in Asthma Patients With Frequent Exacerbation (PHASE2)
- Efficacy and Safety of Probiotics for Anxiety Depression (NA)
- Multiple Ascending Dose Phase 1 Study of ALA-3000 (PHASE1)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Placebo & Citalopram CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Placebo & Citalopram updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Colorado, Denver portfolio CI