Citalopram

Excerpt

A man [age stated to be 58-years-old; age at onset not clearly stated] developed tourettism during treatment with citalopram for depression. He presented with a 4-year history of abnormal neck movements and grunting. His symptoms started a few weeks after beginning citalopram treatment [route and dosage not stated]. Examination revealed stereotypic phonic and motor tics which were characterised by platysma muscle contraction, an inner build-up of an unpleasant sensation, and vocal grunting. At 3 months, his symptoms persisted, despite the withdrawal of citalopram. He was treated with pimozide but this was unable to control his tics. Tetrabenazine improved his symptoms.Author Comment“We hypothesized that citalopram is the cause for our patient's de novo tic disorder, likely secondary to the increase in dopamine neurotransmitter caused by the SSRI.“ …