A DOUBLE-BLIND PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL COMPARING FLUVOXAMINE AND IMIPRAMINE IN THE TREATMENT OF PANIC DISORDER WITH OR WITHOUT AGORAPHOBIA

This study compared the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of fluvoxam ine, imipramine, and placebo in the treatment of panic disorder with o r without agoraphobia. Fifty-four outpatients participated in the rand omized, double-blind trial as part of a multicenter trial. After meeti ng inclusion criteria and completing screening requirements (e.g., lab oratory testing, electrocardiogram, physical examination), patients we re entered in a single-blind placebo washout phase. They were then ran domized to either fluvoxamine, imipramine, or placebo. Measurements co mpleted at each visit included the number and severity of panic attack s per week, the Sheehan Panic and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale, and the Clinical Global Impressions, and others. Results show that fluvoxamine is more effective than placebo and as effective as imipramine in redu cing spontaneous panic attacks in moderate to severe panic disorder, H owever, starting doses of fluvoxamine and imipramine should be low to minimize untoward side effects (such as insomnia and agitation) and ma intain compliance.