The pharmacological effect of citalopram residues in the (S)-(+)-enantiomer

J Neural Transm Gen Sect. 1992;88(2):157-60. doi: 10.1007/BF01244820.

Abstract

The enantiomers of citalopram and N-demethylcitalopram have been investigated. Based on the inhibition of 5-HT uptake in vitro and the potentiation of 1-5-HTP in vivo the pharmacological activity resides in the (+)-enantiomers (the eutomers*) with the 1-(S) absolute configuration. In the 5-HT uptake test eudismic ratios of 167 and 6.6 are obtained for the enantiomers of citalopram and N-demethylcitalopram, respectively. The pharmacological profile of the eutomers of citalopram and N-demethylcitalopram very much resembles the profile of the respective racemates.

MeSH terms

  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Citalopram / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Rats, Inbred Strains
  • Serotonin / metabolism
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Synaptosomes / drug effects
  • Synaptosomes / metabolism

Substances

  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Citalopram
  • Serotonin
  • 5-Hydroxytryptophan