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The management of panic disorder
1University of South Florida Institute for Research in Psychiatry, Tampa 33613, USA. dsheehan@hsc.usf.edu
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|February 4, 2003
Summary
Extended-release benzodiazepines offer a promising alternative for panic disorder treatment. Their longer action and convenient dosing may improve patient compliance and manage anxiety effectively.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Benzodiazepines and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are standard panic disorder treatments.
- Extended-release (ER) formulations present potential advantages over immediate-release (IR) options.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and clinical benefits of ER benzodiazepines in panic disorder management.
- To explore the role of ER benzodiazepines as an adjunct to SSRIs.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of ER and IR benzodiazepine formulations.
- Review of clinical data on benzodiazepine and SSRI use in panic disorder.
Main Results:
- ER benzodiazepines demonstrate comparable efficacy to IR formulations.
- ER benzodiazepines offer benefits like reduced breakthrough anxiety and improved dosing convenience (once or twice daily).
- ER benzodiazepines can serve as an effective bridge therapy during the initial slow onset of SSRIs.
Conclusions:
- ER benzodiazepines are a viable and potentially superior treatment option for panic disorder.
- Their pharmacokinetic profile enhances patient compliance and anxiety management.
- ER benzodiazepines can be effectively integrated with SSRIs for comprehensive panic disorder treatment.