Rivastigmine plus citalopram comparable to rivastigmine for depression in Alzheimer’s

Rivastigmine plus citalopram did not have superior efficacy compared with rivastigmine alone among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, according to data presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting.

To compare efficacy of rivastigmine plus citalopram with rivastigmine alone in Alzheimer’s disease, researchers conducted a longitudinal clinical prospective study among 1,278 individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Study participants received a 9.5 mg patch of rivastigmine and 20 mg to 40 mg of citalopram per day for 48 months.

Four years after baseline, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, Geriatric Depression Scale scores and Hamilton Rating Scale-Depression scores were not significantly different among participants treated with rivastigmine plus citalopram or rivastigmine alone.

Functional Rating Scale for Symptoms of Dementia (FRSSD) scores were significantly worse among participants with Alzheimer’s disease and depression who received rivastigmine plus citalopram, compared with rivastigmine only (P = .027).

Participants with Alzheimer’s disease and depression who received rivastigmine plus citalopram had significantly higher FRSSD scores, compared with participants without depression who received rivastigmine plus citalopram.

“The combination of rivastigmine and citalopram had no better results than rivastigmine alone in patients with Alzheimer’s disease,” the researchers concluded. – by Amanda Oldt

Reference:

Pathak K, et al. Rivastigmine and citalopram treatment for Alzheimer’s disease in every day clinical praxis. Presented at: American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting; April 22-28, 2017; Boston.

Disclosure: Healio/Psychiatry could not confirm relevant financial disclosures at the time of publication.