REVIEW OF CURRENT TREATMENT IN PANIC DISORDER

The ideal properties for an antipanic agent include the ability to pro vide complete recovery from panic attacks, resolution of associated an xiety and avoidance behavior, relapse prevention, good tolerability, a nd efficacy in comorbid conditions including depression. We compared t he properties of currently available treatment options for panic attac ks, including the benzodiazepines, tricyclic antidepressants, monoamin e oxidase inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI s), with this ideal. Experimental approaches in the development of the rapeutic agents of potential use against panic disorder were also exam ined. It is clear that SSRIs, such as paroxetine, are an effective tre atment for panic disorder, and their antidepressant activity also allo ws concurrent treatment of comorbid depressive disorders, for which pa tients with panic disorder are at high risk. However, despite the avai lability of effective antipanic agents, some patients do not respond t o treatment. (C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publishers.