Background Moclobemide,a reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A,
previously has been reported to have efficacy in the treatment of soci
al phobia. Method Seventy-seven nonresponders to one week of single-bl
ind placebo were randomly assigned to moclobemide or placebo for eight
weeks of double-blind treatment. Outcome was assessed by independent
evaluator, treating psychiatrist and seif-ratings. After eight weeks,
patients who were at least minimally improved continued treatment for
a further eight weeks. Results Intention-to-treat sample response rate
s al week 8 were 7/40 (17.5%) for the moclobemide group and 5/37 (13.5
%) for placebo (NS). Moclobemide was significantly superior to placebo
on 2 of 10 primary outcome measures. Moclobemide was well tolerated.
Conclusions Moclobemide may have efficacy in the treatment of social p
hobia, but absence of significant differences on most primary outcome
measures and small effect sizes for all outcome measures suggest that
the magnitude of its clinical effect is small.