Irritable bowel syndrome: an effective antidepressant to relieve symptoms

The antidepressant citalopram (citalopram *, G Gam; Seropram * Lundbeck), which belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), appears effective in relieving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, according a small Belgian study published in the journal "Gut".
This syndrome, for which no physical cause could not be clearly identified and whose occurrence is often attributed to stress manifests itself in a myriad of functional digestive disorders (constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating).

Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, recall Dr. Jan Tack of the University Hospital Gasthuisberg in Leuven, and colleagues. However, antidepressants SSRI have been only a few evaluations that have led to inconclusive results, add the Belgian researchers.

They therefore conducted a study of 23 patients with this syndrome (18 women) with a mean age of 39 years. Participants were given six weeks or placebo either citalopram 20 mg during the first three weeks and 40 mg for the next three weeks.

This antidepressant has helped relieve abdominal pain (reduction of the duration and intensity) and bloating significantly, while these criteria remained almost stable in patients on placebo. He also improved the impact of symptoms on daily life and general well-being significantly compared to placebo. In contrast, SSRIs had only a modest impact on the state of the stool.

These beneficial effects of citalopram have emerged as well after three weeks of six weeks of treatment, were able to see the Belgian researchers.

The therapeutic effect observed seems to be independent of the effects of citalopram on anxiety and depression, since patients were not depressed at baseline and where changes in scores of anxiety and depression did not appear associated with improving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, indicate igh