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 .
Effect of fluvoxamine on panic disorder.
Several reports suggest that selective serotonin reuptake blockers are helpful in the treatment of panic disorder . The aim of the study was to compare fluvoxamine with placebo in 50 panic disorder patients by using an 8-week , double-blind , parallel-groups design . Weekly assessment included a panic attack diary ( frequency and severity ) , the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Scale , the Clinical Anxiety Scale , and the Sheehan Disability Scale . Although both groups improved on all measures , the fluvoxamine group experienced significantly less frequent major panic attacks from the third week on and significantly lower ratings on anxiety , depression , and disability from the sixth week on . Mean ratings of the severity of major and the severity and frequency of minor attacks were not affected differently by fluvoxamine and placebo . At the end of the study , significantly more patients on fluvoxamine were free of major and minor panic attacks . The results indicate that : ( 1 ) the administration of fluvoxamine , as compared with placebo , led to a significant reduction in the number of panic attacks . ( 2 ) The severity of panic attacks was not affected by fluvoxamine . ( 3 ) The effect of fluvoxamine on anxiety , depressive mood , and disability differed from placebo only after 6 weeks of treatment , after which the placebo group showed either no further improvement or a reversal of symptoms . ( 4 ) Participation in a drug study , even without additional psychotherapy , led to significant improvement in all patients
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 .