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Panic attacks and agoraphobia: low dose clomipramine treatment
S Gloger1, L Grunhaus, D Gladic
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Chile, Santiago.
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
|February 1, 1989
Summary
Low-dose clomipramine effectively treated panic anxiety and agoraphobia in an 8-week trial. Most patients experienced complete or significant reduction in panic attacks and avoidance behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Panic anxiety and agoraphobia are debilitating conditions often requiring pharmacological intervention.
- Clomipramine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has shown efficacy in treating anxiety disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose clomipramine in outpatients with panic anxiety and agoraphobia.
- To explore the optimal dosage range for clomipramine in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- An 8-week open-label trial involving 17 outpatients diagnosed with panic anxiety and agoraphobia.
- Flexible dosing of clomipramine, with a mean daily dosage of 45 mg.
- Assessment of panic attacks and avoidance behaviors as primary outcome measures.
Main Results:
- Complete cessation of panic attacks in 13 out of 17 patients (76.5%).
- Marked decrease in panic attacks in the remaining four patients.
- Disappearance of avoidance behavior in five of the seven agoraphobic patients (71.4%).
- Eight patients received 25 mg or less of clomipramine daily.
- Higher doses were associated with the presence of agoraphobia.
Conclusions:
- Low-dose clomipramine is an effective treatment for panic anxiety and agoraphobia.
- The findings support the role of serotonergic mechanisms in panic anxiety.
- Further double-blind studies are warranted to confirm these results.