A Medline search of research on pharmacotherapy was undertaken , and a previous systematic review on the evidence -based pharmacotherapy of panic disorder was up date d. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors remain a first-line pharmacotherapy of panic disorder , with the serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine also an acceptable early option .
Temporary co-administration of benzodiazepines can be considered .
For patients not responding to first-line agents several pharmacotherapy options are available , but there is a notable paucity of data on the optimal choice
The evidence -based pharmacotherapy of panic disorder continues to evolve .
This paper review s data on first-line pharmacotherapy , evidence for maintenance treatment , and management options for treatment-refractory patients .
Long-term evaluation of paroxetine, clomipramine and placebo in panic disorder. Collaborative Paroxetine Panic Study Investigators.
Paroxetine has been shown to be effective in panic disorder in three 10- to 12-week studies . This trial studied the longer term effects of paroxetine in patients with DSM-III-R defined panic disorder . Patients who satisfactorily completed a 12-week , double-blind , placebo-controlled study of paroxetine and clomipramine  could choose to continue receiving their r and omized treatment for a further 36 weeks . Efficacy assessment s included the daily panic attack diary , the Clinical Global Impression Scale , the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale , the Marks Sheehan Phobia Scale and the Sheehan Disability Scale . In total , 176 patients were included in the intention-to-treat population . The number of full panic attacks decreased in all three groups during the 12-week study , and improvements continued with long-term therapy . Paroxetine was statistically significantly more effective than placebo throughout the long-term study with respect to reduction from baseline of full panic attacks , and at the end of treatment with respect to the proportion of patients who eventually experienced no panic attacks . There were no significant differences between paroxetine and clomipramine . The proportion of patients who withdrew from the study due to adverse effects  was greater in the clomipramine group ( 19 % ) than in either the paroxetine group ( 7 % ) or the placebo group ( 9 % ) . Paroxetine was significantly more effective than placebo and as effective as ( but better tolerated than ) clomipramine in the long-term treatment of panic disorder . Not only was efficacy maintained , but continued improvement was also seen , indicating the importance of long-term treatment in patients with panic disorder
A Medline search of research on pharmacotherapy was undertaken , and a previous systematic review on the evidence -based pharmacotherapy of panic disorder was up date d. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors remain a first-line pharmacotherapy of panic disorder , with the serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor venlafaxine also an acceptable early option .
Temporary co-administration of benzodiazepines can be considered .
For patients not responding to first-line agents several pharmacotherapy options are available , but there is a notable paucity of data on the optimal choice
The evidence -based pharmacotherapy of panic disorder continues to evolve .
This paper review s data on first-line pharmacotherapy , evidence for maintenance treatment , and management options for treatment-refractory patients .