Short-term and long-term evaluation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of panic disorder: fluoxetine vs citalopram

This double-blind study evaluates the efficacy and tolerability of fluoxeti ne and citalopram in the acute and long-term treatment of panic disorder in 42 patients meeting DSM-IV criteria for panic disorder with or without ago raphobia. Fluoxetine and citalopram showed similar efficacy in the treatmen t of panic disorder patients. On the basis of HRSA and PASS mean score eval uation, fluoxetine was more rapid than citalopram in reducing generalized a nxiety symptoms, spontaneous panic attacks and anticipatory anxiety. Fluoxe tine appeared to be effective at a dosage of 10 mg/day, while citalopram re ached the same efficacy at a dosage of 30 mg/day. Long-term evaluation has demonstrated high rates of persistent full remission with both drugs. Copyr ight (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.