The clinical efficacy of drug treatment for panic disorder has been evaluated in several studies, especially in the last decade. In this paper we reviewed double-blind controlled clinical trials of antidepressants and benzodiazepines in the treatment of panic disorder. Tricyclic antidepressants (principally imipramine) and benzodiazepines were equally effective in reducing panic symptomatology. This evidence does not support the hypothesis that panic-related symptomatology is a psychopathological entity, requiring a specific antidepressant drug treatment. The combination of psychological therapy with drug treatment was associated with even better outcome. On the other hand, the efficacy of MAOI remains to be demonstrated. Better compliance with benzodiazepines may favor the clinical use of these drugs rather than antidepressants. However, more prospective controlled studies including follow-up examinations are required, in order to assess the risk/benefit ratio of these treatments after long-term therapy.

Drug treatment of panic disorder. A critical review of controlled clinical trials

RUGGERI, Mirella;BELLANTUONO, Cesario
1989-01-01

Abstract

The clinical efficacy of drug treatment for panic disorder has been evaluated in several studies, especially in the last decade. In this paper we reviewed double-blind controlled clinical trials of antidepressants and benzodiazepines in the treatment of panic disorder. Tricyclic antidepressants (principally imipramine) and benzodiazepines were equally effective in reducing panic symptomatology. This evidence does not support the hypothesis that panic-related symptomatology is a psychopathological entity, requiring a specific antidepressant drug treatment. The combination of psychological therapy with drug treatment was associated with even better outcome. On the other hand, the efficacy of MAOI remains to be demonstrated. Better compliance with benzodiazepines may favor the clinical use of these drugs rather than antidepressants. However, more prospective controlled studies including follow-up examinations are required, in order to assess the risk/benefit ratio of these treatments after long-term therapy.
1989
PSYA; Psichiatria
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11562/6453
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 8
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 4
social impact