Conditions: Generalized Social Phobia
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 27
Healthy volunteers: no

Brief summary:
The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and tolerability of atomoxetine (Strattera) in adult patients with generalized social anxiety disorder (an anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of interpersonal interactions).

Detailed description:
Controlled studies show that approximately 50% of patients with generalized social anxiety disorder(GSAD)will respond to treatment with available pharmacotherapeutic agents such as SSRI's. This still leaves 50% that respond partially or not at all. Those who do respond, often experience adverse events (e.g., sexual dysfunction), which leads them to discontinue treatment. Thus, there is a strong rational for identifying alternatives to SSRI's that are effective with fewer side effects (or with a different side-effect profile, that features less sexual dysfunction)for the treatment of GSAD. Available data demonstrate that sustained-release venlafaxine, a dual reuptake inhibitor, is also effective for GSAD.(Stein et al., 2005). It is unclear from these studies whether serotonin reuptake is integral to efficacy for social anxiety disorder, or whether norepinephrine reuptake will convey similar efficacy. Atomoxetine (Strattera)an inhibitor of the presynaptic norepinephrine transporter, is an ideal candidate to address both these issues.

Arms:
arm 1: Atomoxetine arm 2: Placebo

Interventions: intervention 1: atomoxetine intervention 2: placebo
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Flexible dose, up to 50 mg per day intervention 2: placebo (matching to atomoxetine)

Protocol document: