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 .
Clomipramine treatment of panic disorder: pros and cons.
BACKGROUND Controlled trials suggest that clomipramine may be a highly effective antipanic drug . Lowering the starting dose may alleviate troublesome initial side effects and increase acceptability and compliance . METHOD Fifty-eight patients with DSM-III-R panic disorder with or without agoraphobia underwent 13 weeks of clomipramine treatment . Starting at 10 mg/day , the dose was gradually increased to a mean dose of 97 mg/day . RESULTS While completers showed highly significant improvement , the benefits were severely limited by a high dropout rate due to adverse reactions occurring mostly during the first 2 weeks of treatment . CONCLUSION Given the alternatives , clomipramine should not be used as a first-line antipanic medication
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 .