The use of citalopram for the treatment of cataplexy

Author(s):Show less -

Fonseca, Hassana de Almeida ; Lopes, Danielle Antunes ; Pereira, Danielle ; Sguillar, Danilo Anunciatto ; Lopes, Eduardo ; Costa da Silva Behrens, Nilce Sanny ; de Araujo Lima, Tais Figueiredo ; Pradella-Hallinan, Marcia ; Castro, Juliana ; Tufik, Sergio ; Santos Coelho, Fernando Morgadinho

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: SLEEP SCIENCE; v. 7, n. 1, p. 3-pg., 2014-03-01.

Abstract

This is a series of cases describing the use of citalopram for the treatment of cataplexy in patients with narcolepsy. Cataplexy is the most specific symptom of narcolepsy, being characterized by a sudden and temporary loss of muscle tonus, triggered by episodes of emotion during vigil. Some antidepressants, besides gamma-hydroxybutyrate, are used for the control of cataplexy. As gamma-hydroxybutyrate is not available in Brazil, local treatment is usually done by the use of antidepressants. Citalopram is a selective inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, with reasonable price and with fewer side effects when compared with other drugs of the same type. In this study, we report a series of cases with patients with narcolepsy and cataplexy, treated with citalopram for the control of cataplexy. (C) 2014 Brazilian Association of Sleep. Production and Hosting by Elsevier B.V. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 98/14303-3 - Center for Sleep Studies
• Grantee: Sergio Tufik
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC