Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.
Citalopram is an antidepressant of the SSRI group (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors): it keeps more of the messenger serotonin available between nerve cells. It is used for depression and, in some countries, for panic disorder. It is sold as Celexa and Cipramil, among other names.
Citalopram is broken down mainly by the liver enzyme CYP2C19, with help from CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. People with two low-function CYP2C19 copies (poor metabolizers, about 2 in 100 people of European ancestry and more in East Asian populations) have higher blood levels, and people with the fast *17 version have lower ones. Because higher levels can affect the heart rhythm, the US drug label names CYP2C19 poor metabolizers, and CPIC and DPWG have published guidelines on CYP2C19 and citalopram. Studies have also looked at serotonin genes such as HTR2A and SLC6A4, with weaker evidence.
Clinical guidelines that name a gene for Citalopram. They sort people into groups by the gene copies they carry.
US FDA: CYP2C19. Likely Poor Metabolizer · Poor Metabolizer.
Every published finding on gene variants and Citalopram. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.
PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.
CYP2C19 CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3, CYP2C19*17: Level 1A · replicated. Metabolism/PK: Depressive Disorder, Major Depressive Disorder. 14.
CYP2C19 CYP2C19*1, CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3, CYP2C19*4: Level 1A · replicated. Toxicity: Depressive Disorder. 7.
BDNF rs6265: Level 3. Efficacy: Depressive Disorder. 7.
FKBP5 rs1360780: Level 3. Efficacy: Depression. 7.
Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.
Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.
Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.
Studies of side effects in people carrying a variant.
Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.
More drugs from the same category
Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.
Content updated September 2026.
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