Risk Assessment of QT Prolongation with Citalopram and Escitalopram: An Evidence Based Review

Authors

  • Andre S. Pollmann BSc Pharm candidate College of Pharmacy Faculty of Health Professions Dalhousie University
  • Joel C. Bergman BSc Pharm candidate College of Pharmacy Faculty of Health Professions Dalhousie University
  • Katie L. Lines BSc Pharm candidate College of Pharmacy Faculty of Health Professions Dalhousie University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15273/dmj.Vol40No2.4536

Abstract

Recent health advisories have identified a risk of QT prolongation with the commonly used antidepressants citalopram (Celexa®) and escitalopram (Cipralex®). Pertinent literature was searched for, uncovered, and critically assessed to determine the comparative risk of arrhythmias or death between citalopram and escitalopram. No data were found directly addressing our clinical question by evaluating the two antidepressants for their comparative risk. However, several randomized and crossover trials, as well as a cohort study, were found to address questions regarding the cardiovascular risk of each agent. Available studies indicate a dose-related lengthening of the QT interval with both antidepressants, suggesting that these agents should be used at lower doses in patients with risk factors for arrhythmias. Overall, the evidence suggests that there is no clear advantage to using escitalopram in place of citalopram to minimize the risk of QT prolongation resulting in fatal arrhythmias.

Downloads

Published

2014-05-07

How to Cite

Pollmann, A. S., Bergman, J. C., & Lines, K. L. (2014). Risk Assessment of QT Prolongation with Citalopram and Escitalopram: An Evidence Based Review. DALHOUSIE MEDICAL JOURNAL, 40(2). https://doi.org/10.15273/dmj.Vol40No2.4536

Issue

Vol. 40 No. 2 (2014)

Section

Review

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).