Monotherapy with quetiapine seems to be efficacious in reducing symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder and this effect may be similar to that of antidepressants .
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders are common and disabling conditions , with a lifetime prevalence of 17 % in the general population .
Due to high rates of treatment resistance , there is interest in new pharmacological treatment options such as second-generation antipsychotics .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of second-generation antipsychotics as monotherapy or adjunctive treatment for people with anxiety disorders .
A Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Once-Daily Extended Release Quetiapine Fumarate (Quetiapine XR) Monotherapy in Patients With Generalized Anxiety Disorder
This study evaluated once-daily , extended-release quetiapine fumarate ( quetiapine XR ) monotherapy in  generalized anxiety disorder ( GAD ) . This was a 10-week ( 8-week active treatment/2-week posttreatment drug-discontinuation/tapering phase ) , double-blind , r and omized , placebo-controlled study ( D1448C00009 ) . Primary end point was change from r and omization at week 8 in Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale ( HAM-A ) total score . Overall , 951 patients with GAD were r and omized  ( quetiapine XR : 50 mg/d , n = 234 ; 150 mg/d , n = 241 ; 300 mg/d , n = 241 ; placebo , n = 235 ) . At week 8 , HAM-A total scores significantly ( P < 0.001 ) improved versus placebo ( −11.10 ) with quetiapine XR 50 mg/d ( −13.31 ) and 150 mg/d ( −13.54 ) , but not 300 mg/d ( −11.87 ; P = 0.240 ) . At week 1 , HAM-A total scores significantly improved versus placebo ( −5.94 ) with quetiapine XR 50 mg/d ( −7.47 ; P < 0.01 ) , 150 mg/d ( −8.19 ; P < 0.001 ) , and 300 mg/d ( −7.23 ; P < 0.01 ) . Versus placebo at week 8 , quetiapine XR 50 and 150 mg/d significantly improved HAM-A psychic ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 , respectively ) and somatic ( P < 0.001 ; P < 0.01 , respectively ) cluster scores , HAM-A response ( ≥50 % total score reduction ; P < 0.05 ) , and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement categorical changes ( P < 0.05 ) . For quetiapine XR 150 mg/d , significant ( P < 0.05 ) improvements were seen for HAM-A remission ( total score , ≤7 ) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness scores . For quetiapine XR 300 mg/d , improvements in these secondary variables were not significantly different versus  placebo . Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global scores improved with all 3 doses ( quetiapine : XR 50 mg/d , −4.07 [ P < 0.05 ] ; 150 mg/d , −4.38 [ P < 0.05 ] ; 300 mg/d , −3.97 [ P < 0.05 ] , versus −3.31 with placebo ) . Adverse events ( > 10 % with quetiapine XR ) were dry mouth , somnolence , sedation , dizziness , headache , and fatigue .  Quetiapine XR ( 50/150 mg/d ) monotherapy was effective at week 8 in patients with GAD ; symptom improvement was seen at week 1 for all doses ( 50/150/300 mg/d ) . Safety and tolerability were consistent with the known profile of quetiapine
Monotherapy with quetiapine seems to be efficacious in reducing symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder and this effect may be similar to that of antidepressants .
BACKGROUND Anxiety disorders are common and disabling conditions , with a lifetime prevalence of 17 % in the general population .
Due to high rates of treatment resistance , there is interest in new pharmacological treatment options such as second-generation antipsychotics .
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of second-generation antipsychotics as monotherapy or adjunctive treatment for people with anxiety disorders .