REVERSIBLE MONOAMINE OXIDASE-A INHIBITORS IN PANIC DISORDER

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors are known to be effective in panic disorder, but a high incidence of adverse reactions have limited their use. The new, selective, and reversible MAO-A inhibitors exemplified by brofaromine and moclobemide do not require dietary restrictions, ha ve fewer drug interactions, and are better tolerated. This paper repor ts a randomized, double-blind, 8-week trial in which the efficacy and safety of brofaromine was compared to clomipramine in patients with pa nic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Both treatments achieved a s ignificant and comparable reduction in the number of panic attacks, an d were equally effective in all the parameters measured. Side effects were typical of the drug class. Further trials are required to evaluat e this promising new treatment.