Effects of citalopram on blood pressure control in depressive patients with hypertension: A randomized clinical trial

 Since there is a bi‐directional interaction between hypertension and depression, we aimed to evaluate the effects of citalopram administration in the management of hypertension.

 A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 72 patients with concomitant depression and hypertension. The intervention group (n=41) received citalopram 20 mg daily plus anti-hypertensive standard treatment, while the control group (n=31) received only the standard treatment. The study’s primary endpoint was in-office blood pressure (BP) measurement at baseline and home BP monitoring in the first and second months after entering the study.

 There were no significant differences in baseline systolic BP (163.3±19.6 vs.164.2±20.3 mm Hg; P=0.910) and diastolic BP (94.5±13.8 vs. 88.2±14.4; P=0.071). After one month, diastolic BP (82.7±11.7 vs. 77.09±12.2; P=0.023) was significantly higher in the control group compared to the intervention group. Two months after the intervention, systolic BP (133.8±16.5 vs. 124.5±12.4; P=0.009) and diastolic BP (80.7±10.3 vs. 73.7±9.7; P=0.002) were significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the control group.

 This study supported the beneficial effects of citalopram in lowering BP in patients with concomitant depression and hypertension.