Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-8ctnn Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T16:45:03.811Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Paroxetine in the Treatment of Panic Disorder a Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

S. Oehrberg ,
P. E. Christiansen ,
K. Behnke ,
A. L. Borup ,
B. Severin ,
J. Soegaard ,
H. Calberg ,
R. Judge ,
J. K. Ohrstrom  and
P. M. Manniche
S. Oehrberg
Affiliation:
Vor Frue Straede 4, DK-9000 Aalborg, Denmark
P. E. Christiansen
Affiliation:
Rosenkrantzgade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
K. Behnke
Affiliation:
Falkoner Alle 112, DK-2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark
A. L. Borup
Affiliation:
Radhusvej 12, DK-4180 Soroe, Denmark
B. Severin
Affiliation:
Noerrebrogade, DK-2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
J. Soegaard
Affiliation:
Algade 63C, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
H. Calberg
Affiliation:
Idraetsvej 101, DK-2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
R. Judge*
Affiliation:
Novo Nordisk A/S, Krogshoejvej 41, DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark
J. K. Ohrstrom
Affiliation:
SmithKline Beecham, New Frontier Science Park South, Harlow, Essex
P. M. Manniche
Affiliation:
Novo Nordisk A/S, Krogshoejvej 41, DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark
*
Dr R. Judge, CNS Therapeutic Unit, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, New Frontier Science Park South, Third Avenue, Harlow, Essex CM19 5AG
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background

This study compared the efficacy and tolerability of paroxetine with placebo in the treatment of panic disorder.

Method

After three weeks of placebo, patients received 12 weeks of treatment with paroxetine (20, 40, or 60 mg) or placebo, and finally two weeks of placebo. Dosages were adjusted according to efficacy and tolerability. Standardised cognitive therapy was given to all patients. The primary measure of outcome was reduction in the number of panic attacks.

Results

Analysis of the results showed statistically significant differences in favour of paroxetine between the two treatment groups in two out of the three primary measures of outcome, i.e. 50% reduction in total number of panic attacks and number of panic attacks reduced to one or zero over the study period. For the third measure of outcome, the mean change in the total number of attacks from baseline, there was a positive trend in favour of paroxetine. The results of the primary measures of outcome were strongly supported by the results of the secondary efficacy measures of outcome. In addition, paroxetine, at all doses, was very well tolerated.

Conclusion

Paroxetine plus cognitive therapy was significantly more effective than placebo plus cognitive therapy in the treatment of panic disorder.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 3 , September 1995 , pp. 374 - 379
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

American Psychiatric Association (1980) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd edn) (DSM–III). Washington, DC: APA.Google Scholar
American Psychiatric Association (1987) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (3rd edn, revised) (DSM–III–R). Washington, DC: APA.Google Scholar
Beck, A. T., Sokol, L., Clark, D. A., et al (1992) A crossover study of focussed cognitive therapy for panic disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 149, 6.Google Scholar
Black, D. W., Wesner, R., Bowers, W., et al (1993) A comparison of fluvoxamine, cognitive therapy and placebo in the treatment of panic disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 50, 44–50.10.1001/archpsyc.1993.01820130046008Google Scholar
Chambless, D. L. & Gillis, M. M. (1993) Cognitive therapy of anxiety disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 61, 248–260.10.1037/0022-006X.61.2.248Google Scholar
den Boer, J. A. (1988) Serotonergic Mechanisms in Anxiety Disorder. Cip-Gegevens Koninklijke Bibiotheek, Den Haag.Google Scholar
Dunbar, G. C. (1989) An interim overview of safety and tolerability of paroxetine. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 80 (suppl. 350), 135–137.10.1111/j.1600-0447.1989.tb07193.xGoogle Scholar
Feighner, J. P. & Boyer, W. F. (1989) Paroxetine in the treatment of depression: a comparison with imipramine and placebo. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 80 (suppl.), 125–129.10.1111/j.1600-0447.1989.tb07190.xGoogle Scholar
Guy, W. (1976) ECDEU Assessment Manual for Psychopharmacology. US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service, Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration.Google Scholar
Hamilton, M. (1969) Diagnosis and rating of anxiety. British Journal of Psychiatry, 3, 76–79.Google Scholar
Hawton, K., Salkowski, P., Kirk, J., et al (1989) Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychiatric Problems. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Humble, M. & Wistedt, B. (1992) Serotonin, panic disorder and agoraphobia: short term and long term efficacy of citalopram in panic disorders. International Clinical Psychopharmacology, 6 (suppl. 5), 21–39.10.1097/00004850-199206005-00003Google Scholar
Kahn, R. S. & van Praag, H. M. (1992) Panic disorder: a biological perspective. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 2, 1–20.10.1016/0924-977X(92)90031-3Google Scholar
Maier, W., Roth, M., Argyle, N., et al (1991) Avoidance behaviour: a predictor of the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in panic disorder. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience, 241, 151–158.10.1007/BF02219714Google Scholar
Rosenberg, N. K., Andersch, S., Kullingsjo, H., et al (1991) Efficacy and safety of alprazolam, imipramine and placebo in treating panic disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica (suppl. 365), 18–27.Google Scholar
Salzman, C. (1993) Benzodiazepine treatment of panic and agoraphobic symptoms: use, dependence, toxicity, abuse. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 27 (suppl. 1), 97–100.10.1016/0022-3956(93)90021-SGoogle Scholar
Schneier, F. R., Liebowitz, M. R., Davies, S. O., et al (1990) Fluoxetine in panic disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 10, 119–121.10.1097/00004714-199004000-00007Google Scholar
Uhde, T. W., Boulenger, J. P., Roy Byrne, P. P., et al (1985) Longitudinal course of panic disorder: clinical and biological considerations. Progress in Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 9, 39–51.10.1016/0278-5846(85)90178-2Google Scholar
Wittchen, H. U. & Essau, C. A. (1993) Epidemiology of panic disorder: progress and unresolved issues. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 27 (suppl.), 47–68.10.1016/0022-3956(93)90017-VGoogle Scholar
Zung, W. W. K. (1971) A rating instrument for anxiety disorders. Psychosomatics, 12, 371–379.10.1016/S0033-3182(71)71479-0Google Scholar
Submit a response

eLetters

No eLetters have been published for this article.