Overall , a general lack of efficacy of SGAs on panic symptoms was observed .
Except for ziprasidone , SGAs were well tolerated in these short-term trials
A role for second-generation antipsychotics ( SGAs ) in the treatment of  panic disorders ( PD ) has been proposed , but the actual usefulness of SGAs in this disorder is unclear .
A comparison of low-dose risperidone to paroxetine in the treatment of panic attacks: a randomized, single-blind study
Background Because a large proportion of patients with panic attacks receiving approved pharmacotherapy do not respond or respond poorly to medication , it is important to identify additional therapeutic strategies for the management of panic symptoms . This article describes a r and omized , rater-blind study comparing low-dose risperidone to st and ard-of-care paroxetine for the treatment of panic attacks . Methods Fifty six subjects with a history of panic attacks were r and omized to receive either risperidone or paroxetine .  The subjects were then followed for eight weeks . Outcome measures included the Panic Disorder Severity Scale ( PDSS ) , the Hamilton Anxiety Scale ( Ham-A ) , the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale ( Ham-D ) , the Sheehan Panic Anxiety Scale-Patient ( SPAS-P ) , and the Clinical Global Impression scale ( CGI ) . Results All subjects demonstrated a reduction in both the frequency and severity of panic attacks regardless of treatment received . Statistically significant improvements in rating scale scores for both groups were identified for the PDSS , the Ham-A , the Ham-D , and the CGI . There was no difference between treatment groups in the improvement in scores on the measures PDSS , Ham-A , Ham-D , and CGI . Post hoc tests suggest that subjects receiving risperidone may have a quicker clinical response than subjects receiving paroxetine . Conclusion We can identify no difference in the efficacy of paroxetine and low-dose risperidone in the treatment of panic attacks . Low-dose risperidone appears to be tolerated equally well as paroxetine . Low-dose risperidone may be an effective treatment for anxiety disorders in which panic attacks are a significant component . Trial Registration Clinical Trials.gov Identifier :
Overall , a general lack of efficacy of SGAs on panic symptoms was observed .
Except for ziprasidone , SGAs were well tolerated in these short-term trials
A role for second-generation antipsychotics ( SGAs ) in the treatment of  panic disorders ( PD ) has been proposed , but the actual usefulness of SGAs in this disorder is unclear .