Following standard medical examination, the physical explanatory cause of RAP in children is often unidentifiable. RAP is a common occurrence and presents a challenge to health care providers. The current exploratory study primarily assessed the treatment efficacy, tolerability, and safety of citalopram in the treatment of RAP in children. A secondary study goal was to assess any improvements in comorbid anxiety and depressive symptoms in the sample, which included 25 children and adolescents aged 7 to 18 years who had functional RAP. The sample received citalopram in a medication dispenser for 12 weeks; 10 mg was received the first week, increasing to 20 mg at the second week and then 40 mg at the fourth week if no clinical response was noted. Outcome measures included the Clinical Global Impression Scale-Improved and self- and parent-reports of physical and emotional/psychological symptoms. Results of an intent-to-treat analysis format indicated that 84 percent of the sample responded and tolerated the citalopram well. Four subjects withdrew prematurely, one of whom complained of visual problems. Ratings of abdominal pain, anxiety, depression, and other symptoms all significantly improved, as did the functional impairment of the sample compared to baseline. As such, citalopram presents a promising treatment for functional RAP and should be further investigated with a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Tables, figures, references