Acute Effects of Citalopram and Imipramine on Psychomotor Performance in Healthy Volunteers: A Comparative Study

Aim: To evaluate and compare the acute effects of citalopram and imipramine on psychomotor performance in healthy volunteers. Methods: 30 healthy male participants (20-35 yrs) received single oral doses of citalopram (20 mg), imipramine (50 mg) and placebo in a double blind, cross over study. A battery of objective (critical flicker fusion, digit letter substitution, six letter cancellation, arithmetic ability, digit span and hand steadiness) and subjective (visual analogue scales) tests of psychomotor functions were performed at 0, 1.5 and 3 hrs. Results: Imipramine (tricyclic antidepressant) caused significant (p < 0.001) impairment of psychomotor functions at 3 hrs. In contrast, citalopram (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) did not produce detrimental effect on the objective and subjective assessment of psychomotor functions, but showed positive effects on critical flicker fusion threshold (p < 0.05 at 1.5 hr and p < 0.001 at 3 hrs), on digit letter substitution score (p < 0.001 at 3 hrs) and on six letter cancellation score (p < 0.01 at 3 hrs). Conclusion: Imipramine possesses detrimental effect on psychomotor performance of the recipients. In contrast, citalopram do not impair psychomotor performance and may improve it.