Paroxetine , sertraline , citalopram , escitalopram , and clomipramine showed the most consistent results , while fluvoxamine , fluoxetine , and imipramine showed limited efficacy .
Preliminary results suggested the potential efficacy of inositol ; D-cycloserine showed mixed results for its ability to improve the outcome of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy .
No studies have been specifically oriented toward evaluating the effect of drugs on AG ; in the available studies , the improvement of AG might have been the consequence of the reduction of panic attacks .
BACKGROUND Although there are controversial issues ( the " American view " and the " European view " ) regarding the construct and definition of agoraphobia ( AG ) , this syndrome is well recognized and it is a burden in the lives of millions of people worldwide .
To better clarify the role of drug therapy in AG , the authors summarized and discussed recent evidence on pharmacological treatments , based on clinical trials available from 2000 , with the aim of highlighting pharmacotherapies that may improve this complex syndrome .
Improvement of quality of life in panic disorder with escitalopram, citalopram, or placebo.
BACKGROUND It has been argued that measurement of outcome in panic disorder should not be limited to monitoring the number of panic attacks , but should include all domains that affect patient quality of life . METHODS Data from a r and omized prospect i ve comparison of escitalopram , citalopram , and placebo in patients with DSM-IV panic disorder were analyzed with regard to measurements of impairment of quality of life . The subscales of the Panic and Agoraphobia Scale ( P&A ) ( Panic Attacks , Agoraphobic Avoidance , Anticipatory Anxiety , Functional and Social Disability , and Worries about Health ) and the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Question naire ( Q-LES-Q ) were analyzed . RESULTS Treatment with escitalopram was associated with significant improvement on all 5 subscales of the P&A.  Citalopram was significantly different from placebo in 3 subscales . Escitalopram and citalopram were significantly better than placebo in improving quality of life ( measured by the total score of the Q-LES-Q Scale ) . Escitalopram was superior to placebo on 12 of 16 items of the Q-LES-Q , while citalopram was superior on 7 items . CONCLUSION The P&A scale was more robust than measurement of panic frequency in differentiating medication from placebo . Escitalopram treatment was associated with improvement on all assessed domains that impair quality of life in panic disorder . Measurement of clinical improvement should not be solely based on panic attack frequency , but should also include assessment of a broad range of domains that affect patient quality of life
Paroxetine , sertraline , citalopram , escitalopram , and clomipramine showed the most consistent results , while fluvoxamine , fluoxetine , and imipramine showed limited efficacy .
Preliminary results suggested the potential efficacy of inositol ; D-cycloserine showed mixed results for its ability to improve the outcome of exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy .
No studies have been specifically oriented toward evaluating the effect of drugs on AG ; in the available studies , the improvement of AG might have been the consequence of the reduction of panic attacks .
BACKGROUND Although there are controversial issues ( the " American view " and the " European view " ) regarding the construct and definition of agoraphobia ( AG ) , this syndrome is well recognized and it is a burden in the lives of millions of people worldwide .
To better clarify the role of drug therapy in AG , the authors summarized and discussed recent evidence on pharmacological treatments , based on clinical trials available from 2000 , with the aim of highlighting pharmacotherapies that may improve this complex syndrome .