I n this column, I would like to make the readership aware of a few updates. The first is a drug safety communication about the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), citalopram. In 2011, the FDA notified healthcare professionals that citalopram daily doses should not exceed 40 mg. Apparently, daily doses exceeding 40 mg could be related to potential QTc prolongations and torsades de pointes. Patients with underlying heart conditions such as congestive heart failure, congenital long QT syndrome, and those who are predisposed to low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood could be at increased risk of developing these conduction problems. It should be noted that previous labeling for doses up to 60 mg per day have now been modified down to 40 mg per day.

I would also like to make the readership of a new SSRI that was recently approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, it is a partial agonist of 5-HT_1A receptors. The product is Viibryd (vilazodone HCl) manufactured by Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It is not indicated for use in children or adolescents, yet. The product is available in 10, 20 and 40 mg strengths. It should be started at 10 mg, once per day, for one week, then increased to 20 mg once daily, for another week and then titrated up to 40 mg once daily. It should be administered with food. Discontinuation should be done gradually. The product should not be taken within 14 days of monoamine oxidase inhibitor administration. The dose of Viibryd should be reduced to 20 mg when coadministered with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors (i.e., ketoconazole). The most common side effects were gastrointestinal related (diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting). Somnolence and insomnia occurred at similar rates when compared to placebo. The agent has not been associated with meaningful electrocardiogram changes at therapeutic doses. Weight changes when compared to placebo seem minimal. Sexual side effects occurred in 8% of males (vs 0.5% in placebo) and 2.3% of females (vs. 0.7% in placebo). The agent is eliminated through hepatic metabolization. Pharmacokinetically, peak plasma levels (Cmax) are attained at about 4 to 5 hours. Terminal half life is 25 hours and steady state levels are attained at approximately 3 days. Very small alterations in plasma levels were noted in patients with mild to moderate renal and hepatic impairment who received this agent.

We are including an updated list of conferences for your consideration.

• Annual Review Course and Training Session for the Oral Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Board Examination will be held in Pittsburgh, PA, from March 21–24, 2012, contact (202) 966–7300.

• The 2012 Annual Meeting of the American Psychiatric Association will be held in Philadelphia, PA, from May 5–9, 2012, contact (888) 357–7924.

• The 2012 Annual Meeting of the NCDEU will be held in Phoenix, AZ from May 28–31, 2012, contact (703) 925–9455.

• The 59^th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry will be held in San Francisco, CA from October 23–28, 2012, contact (202) 966–7300.