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 .
Moclobemide and fluoxetine for panic disorder. International Panic Disorder Study Group.
An international , multicentre , double blind parallel group study compared the tolerability and efficacy of moclobemide with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ( SSRI ) fluoxetine for panic disorder . SSRIs have been shown effective for panic . The target dose of moclobemide was 450 mg and of fluoxetine was 20 mg . There were two consecutive studies . An eight week study of acute adverse events , tolerability and efficacy was followed by a long-term extension study to 1 year . The efficacy data showed no significant difference between moclobemide and fluoxetine . Both had acute efficacy , with 63 % moclobemide and 70 % fluoxetine patients ( ns ) panic free at 8 weeks . Both agents were well tolerated to 8 weeks , but moclobemide had fewer severe adverse events ( 5 ) than fluoxetine ( 9 ) . There were no severe adverse events in the extension phase with either drug , and almost all patients completing 1 year extension treatment ( moclobemide 61 patients , fluoxetine 65 ) were much or very much improved . These data suggest moclobemide and fluoxetine are tolerated and effective for both acute panic treatment and maintenance therapy
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 .