RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Although serotonin reuptake inhibitors are effective in panic disorder, questions concerning whether doses associated with antidepressant efficacy are also effective for panic disorder remain. AIMS: To assess the efficacy of the usual antidepressant dose of fluoxetine in treating full panic attacks. METHOD: Patients with panic disorder were randomised to placebo or to fluoxetine initiated at 10 mg daily for 1 week and then increased to 20 mg daily. The trial lasted 12 weeks, but after 6 weeks patients who had failed to achieve a satisfactory response were eligible for dose escalation to a maximum of 60 mg of fluoxetine daily. RESULTS: Fluoxetine was associated with a statistically significantly greater proportion of panic-free patients compared with placebo after 6 weeks and at end-point. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoxetine at a dose of 20 mg daily is safe and efficacious in reducing symptoms of panic disorder. Patients who fail to obtain a satisfactory response at 20 mg daily may benefit from further dose increases.
Asunto(s)
Antidepresivos de Segunda Generación/administración & dosificación , Fluoxetina/administración & dosificación , Trastorno de Pánico/tratamiento farmacológico , Inhibidores Selectivos de la Recaptación de Serotonina/administración & dosificación , Adulto , Antidepresivos de Segunda Generación/efectos adversos , Método Doble Ciego , Esquema de Medicación , Femenino , Fluoxetina/efectos adversos , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Escalas de Valoración Psiquiátrica , Inhibidores Selectivos de la Recaptación de Serotonina/efectos adversos , Método Simple Ciego , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
The results of intravenous clomipramine therapy in 118 patients suffering from obsessional syndromes and phobic anxiety states are reviewed. A remarkable consistency of improvement was observed especially in those patients suffering from obsessional symptoms. Better results were obtained in patients lacking hysterical personality traits. A brief reference is made to a pilot study involving the use of the 16PF personality test in assessing the effect of clomipramine.
