The effects of acute citalopram dosing on gastric motor function and nutrient tolerance in healthy volunteers

• Published in: Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics 2011-02, Vol.33 (3), p.395-402
• Main Authors: Janssen, P., Van Oudenhove, L., Casteels, C., Vos, R., Verbeke, K., Tack, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Citalopram - administration & dosage; Citalopram - pharmacology; Digestive system; Drinking - drug effects; Eating - drug effects; Female; Gastric Emptying - drug effects; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Postprandial Period - drug effects; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors - pharmacology; Stomach - drug effects; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0269-2813; 1365-2036
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04522.x

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2011; 33: 395–402 Summary Background  It is unclear whether endogenous serotonin release is involved in the regulation of gastric motility and food intake. Aim  To study the effect of acute administration of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram on gastric motor function in man. Methods  Nineteen healthy volunteers underwent a gastric barostat, gastric emptying and/or a drinking test after dosing with either placebo or citalopram (20 mg intravenously). In the barostat protocol, a flaccid bag was introduced in the stomach and inflated at intra‐abdominal pressure +2 mmHg, volume was recorded before and after administration of a liquid meal (300 kcal). Gastric emptying for solids and liquids was simultaneously assessed using the 14C‐octanoic acid/13C‐glycine breath test. During the drink test, volunteers drank at a rate of 15 mL/min until maximal satiation. Citalopram was compared with placebo using t‐tests and mixed model analysis. Results  Citalopram induced a significant preprandial gastric relaxation (volume increase of 154 ± 55 mL vs. −38 ± 33 mL after placebo dosing; P