Variations in response to citalopram in men and women with alcohol dependence

To examine the differential effects of citalopram on alcohol consumption in nondepressed women and men with mild to moderate alcohol dependence. Prospective, placebo-controlled study. Sixty-one subjects (34 men and 27 women). After a 2-week baseline, subjects were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of citalopram (40 mg per day) (n = 15 women, 16 men) or placebo (n = 12 women, 18 men). All received brief standard psychosocial interventions. Alcohol Dependence Scale, Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale, Michigan Alcohol Screening Test, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and daily alcohol intake. Pretreatment sex differences were evident in alcohol consumption, alcohol dependence, alcohol-related problems and on anxiety and depression measures. After treatment, analyses of covariance with depression and anxiety scores as covariates revealed a differential benefit of citalopram for men. Men receiving citalopram reduced average drinks per day by 44%, whereas women exhibited a 27% decrease (p < 0.05). Men may benefit more than women from citalopram in the treatment of alcohol dependence. These findings highlight the importance of examining sex as a significant variable in evaluating response to pharmacotherapy.