The review established the paucity of high quality evidence investigating the efficacy of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for panic disorder .
Currently , there is inadequate evidence to assess the clinical effects of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for patients who are diagnosed with panic disorder
BACKGROUND The efficacy of combining psychotherapy and benzodiazepines for panic disorder is unclear , despite widespread use .
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy of the combination compared with either treatment alone .
Diazepam and propranolol in panic disorder and agoraphobia.
The response to diazepam and propranolol hydrochloride was compared in 21 patients who ( with one exception ) met DSM-III criteria for panic disorder and agoraphobia . Each drug was administered for two weeks in double-blind fashion according to a crossover design . The response to diazepam was significantly superior on all measures . By observer rating , 18 patients showed at least moderate improvement with diazepam compared with seven receiving propranolol .  Panic attacks and phobic symptoms responded to diazepam , but not to propranolol . The results suggest that benzodiazepines constitute effective short-term treatment for these newly defined disorders
The review established the paucity of high quality evidence investigating the efficacy of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for panic disorder .
Currently , there is inadequate evidence to assess the clinical effects of psychotherapy combined with benzodiazepines for patients who are diagnosed with panic disorder
BACKGROUND The efficacy of combining psychotherapy and benzodiazepines for panic disorder is unclear , despite widespread use .
OBJECTIVES To examine the efficacy of the combination compared with either treatment alone .