PRELIMINARY-REPORT - PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, DOUBLE-BLIND-STUDY OF THE CLINICAL AND METABOLIC EFFECTS OF DESIPRAMINE IN PANIC DISORDER

Fifty-six males and females with panic disorder with or without agorap hobia participated in a 12-week, placebo-controlled treatment study of the efficacy of desipramine (DMI). Twenty-six of 28 patients receivin g DMI completed the study; 17 of 28 placebo (PBO) recipients completed 12 weeks. Patients receiving DMI responded significantly better than did PBO recipients as measured by Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and g lobal phobia ratings, with a trend toward greater global improvement, but no between-group differences on panic attack frequency were discer ned. By Week 12, 22 of 26 (85%) DMI patients were panic-free; 13 of 17 (76%) PBO patients were panic-free. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) was tested on a subset of the patients. Patients receiving DMI showed no e ffects on RMR or thyroid indices but lost a significant amount of weig ht; the PBO recipients exhibited no weight loss or RMR effects. In thi s study, the high PBO response rate obscured treatment group differenc es on some measures. This study underscores the need for placebo compa risons in treatment studies. In summary, DMI appears to be an effectiv e treatment for panic disorder. DMI appears to have little effect on R MR; a slight but significant weight loss was observed in the DMI but n ot PBO group.