The journal, Archives of General Psychiatry published the finding of a research study that found "Citalopram Ineffective in Children With Autism." Citalopram is sold under the brand name Celexa® in U.S. and Canada by Forest Laboratories, Inc. Celexa® is an oral selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant drug. For years, doctors have prescribed it off-label for children in the Autism Spectrum.
The researchers followed 149 volunteers for 12 weeks. Study patients were given citalopram hydrobromide (10 mg/5 mL) or placebo. The conclusion of the study was
"Results of this trial do not support the use of citalopram for the treatment of repetitive behavior in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders."
Additionally, there were cases where Celexa exacerbated the patient's obsessive-compulsive behavior. SSRIs are the most used class of drugs for patients with autism and obsessive-compulsive. The new findings cast doubt on the entire class of drugs as therapy.
Read more about Autism Anti-Depressant Research
- Lack of Efficacy of Citalopram in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders and High Levels of Repetitive Behavior , Archives of General Psychiatry
- Study finds antidepressant doesn't help autistic children, Los Angeles Times
- Popular Autism Treatment Yields No Benefits, Wall Street Journal
- Celexa May Not Help Kids With Autism, Forbes
- Forest Laboratories' Celexa Doesn't Help Children With Autism, Bloomberg
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