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 .
Glucocorticoids enhance extinction-based psychotherapy
Behavioral exposure therapy of anxiety disorders is believed to rely on fear extinction . Because pre clinical studies have shown that glucocorticoids can promote extinction processes , we aim ed at investigating whether the administration of these hormones might be useful in enhancing exposure therapy . In a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled study , 40 patients with specific phobia for heights were treated with three sessions of exposure therapy using virtual reality exposure to heights . Cortisol ( 20 mg ) or placebo was administered orally 1 h before each of the treatment sessions . Subjects returned for a posttreatment assessment 3–5 d after the last treatment session and for a follow-up assessment after 1 mo . Adding cortisol to exposure therapy result ed in a significantly greater reduction in fear of heights as measured with the acrophobia question naire ( AQ ) both at posttreatment and at follow-up , compared with placebo . Furthermore , subjects receiving cortisol showed a significantly greater reduction in acute anxiety during virtual exposure to a phobic situation at posttreatment and a significantly smaller exposure-induced increase in skin conductance level at follow-up . The present findings indicate that the administration of cortisol can enhance extinction-based psychotherapy
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 .