Year: 2001
Type: article
Study designs: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Although serotonin reuptake inhibitors are effective in panic disorder, questions concerning whether doses associated with antidepressant efficacy are also effective for panic disorder remain. AIMS: To assess the efficacy of the usual antidepressant dose of fluoxetine in treating full panic attacks. METHOD: Patients with panic disorder were randomised to placebo or to fluoxetine initiated at 10 mg daily for 1 week and then increased to 20 mg daily. The trial lasted 12 weeks, but after 6 weeks patients who had failed to achieve a satisfactory response were eligible for dose escalation to a maximum of 60 mg of fluoxetine daily. RESULTS: Fluoxetine was associated with a statistically significantly greater proportion of panic-free patients compared with placebo after 6 weeks and at end-point. CONCLUSIONS: Fluoxetine at a dose of 20 mg daily is safe and efficacious in reducing symptoms of panic disorder. Patients who fail to obtain a satisfactory response at 20 mg daily may benefit from further dose increases.
Authors: D. Michelson, C. Allgulander, K. Dantendorfer, A. Knezevic, D. Maierhofer, V. Micev, V. R. Paunovic, I. Timotijevic, N. Sarkar, L. Skoglund, S. C. Pemberton
Institution: Eli Lilly (United States)
Language: English
Subfield: Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: Eli Lilly and Company
OpenAlex ID: W2142756331