PAROXETINE EFFICACY IN THE TREATMENT OF GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

Recently, there has been a renewed interest in alternatives to the ben zodiazepines for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of paroxetine vs. imipramine and 2'-chlordesmethyldiazepam in 81 patients with a DS M-IV diagnosis of GAD. Approximately two-thirds of the patients who co mpleted the study improved greatly or moderately on all three active d rugs. During the first 2 weeks of treatment, 2'-chlordesmethyldiazepam treatment resulted in the greatest improvement in anxiety ratings. Bo th paroxetine and imipramine treatment resulted in more improvement th an 2'-chlordesmethyldiazepam by the fourth week of treatment. Paroxeti ne and imipramine affect predominantly psychic symptoms, whereas 2'-ch lordesmethyldiazepam affects predominantly somatic symptoms. Our resul ts suggest that paroxetine is effective for the treatment of GAD.