[Pharmacotherapy of panic disorder]

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Psychiatry
• Clinical Medicine

Context:

• Panic Disorder treatment has historically relied on psychotropic medications.
• Drug treatments have significantly shaped the understanding and management of Panic Disorders.
• Current therapeutic strategies focus on both acute panic attack management and long-term disorder prevention.

Purpose:

• To review the current pharmacopoeia for Panic Disorder treatment.
• To compare the efficacy and safety profiles of different drug classes.
• To establish the first-line treatment of choice for Panic Disorder.

Summary:

• Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are identified as the primary choice for long-term Panic Disorder treatment, offering a balance of efficacy and tolerability.
• While benzodiazepines (BZDs) are effective for acute panic attacks, their potential for dependency limits their use in long-term management.
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) also demonstrate anti-panic effects, but SSRIs are generally preferred due to better tolerability and safety profiles.

Impact:

• SSRIs offer a safer and more manageable long-term treatment option for Panic Disorder compared to benzodiazepines.
• The findings support the integration of pharmacological interventions within comprehensive patient management plans for sustained therapeutic benefits.
• This review clarifies the current landscape of pharmacotherapy, guiding clinical decisions in Panic Disorder management.