Low-dose venlafaxine treatment in panic disorder

Venlafaxine, a structurally novel antidepressant that combines mechanisms o f action of both the cyclic antidepressants and SSRIs, may be effective in the treatment of panic disorder. Thirteen patients with DSM-IV panic disord er with or without agoraphobia participated in an open-label, fixed-flexibl e dose treatment study with venlafaxine. All patients who completed the 10- week trial exhibited statistically significant decreases in scores on anxie ty symptoms as well as complete cessation of panic attacks at an effective mean daily dose of 47 mg per day. Venlafaxine was well tolerated in all com pleters. Venlafaxine may be an effective antipanic agent, even at lower tha n typical antidepressant dosages.