Citalopram

Category: pharmacological

Aliases: Celexa

Pharmacological Mechanism

Racemic SSRI. The S-enantiomer (escitalopram) is the pharmacologically active form; R-enantiomer may antagonise activity via allosteric SERT site. Dose-dependent QT prolongation.

Half-Life (t½)

PO: 35h

Dosing Guidelines

• PO: Typical 20 mg (Range: 20–20 mg)

Target Organ Systems

• nervous

Interactions

• Escitalopram (synergistic): Escitalopram is the pure S-enantiomer of citalopram. Do not co-prescribe.

Pathways It Modulates

• BDNF / TrkB neurotrophic signaling (activator) — BDNF/TrkB (chronic)
• Serotonin receptor pharmacology (inhibitor) — SERT
• SSRI/SNRI discontinuation syndrome (inhibitor) — SERT

Chemical Identifiers

• PubChem CID: 2771
• Formula: C20H21FN2O
• Molecular weight: 324.4 g/mol
• InChIKey: WSEQXVZVJXJVFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES: CN(C)CCCC1(C2=C(CO1)C=C(C=C2)C#N)C3=CC=C(C=C3)F

References

• PMID 10674711
• PMID 27738376