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Desipramine treatment in panic disorder
O Kalus1, G M Asnis, E Rubinson
1Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY.
Journal of Affective Disorders
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Desipramine (DMI) effectively treats panic disorder (PD), significantly reducing non-panic symptoms like anxiety. This tricyclic antidepressant showed minimal side effects, offering a potential compliance advantage over imipramine (IMI) in PD treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Limited research exists on tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) for panic disorder (PD) beyond imipramine (IMI).
- Panic disorder is often characterized by significant non-panic attack symptomatology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of desipramine (DMI), a TCA, in patients with panic disorder.
- To assess the impact of DMI on both panic attack frequency and associated non-panic symptoms.
Main Methods:
- A 6-week open-label trial of desipramine (DMI) was conducted.
- Patients with panic disorder (PD) received a 10-day placebo lead-in period.
- Dosage was adjusted, with a mean final dose of 198 mg.
Main Results:
- 80% of patients with panic disorder (PD) showed significant global improvement by week 6.
- Improvement was largely driven by a reduction in psychic, somatic, and phobic anxiety.
- Desipramine (DMI) exhibited minimal intolerable side effects compared to imipramine (IMI).
Conclusions:
- Desipramine (DMI) is an effective treatment for panic disorder (PD), particularly for non-panic symptomatology.
- The favorable side effect profile of DMI may enhance patient compliance.
- Treatment assessment for PD should consider the significant non-panic illness component.
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