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Brofaromine for social phobia: a multicenter, placebo-controlled, double-blind study
M Lott1, J H Greist, J W Jefferson
1Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Summit, New Jersey, USA.
Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Brofaromine, a selective monoamine oxidase inhibitor, effectively reduced social anxiety symptoms in patients with social phobia. While generally safe, some patients experienced side effects like insomnia and dizziness.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Social phobia is a common anxiety disorder impacting social interactions.
- Selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are a class of antidepressants with potential applications in social phobia treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of brofaromine in treating social phobia.
- To compare brofaromine's effects against a placebo in an outpatient setting.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial involving 102 outpatients with social phobia.
- 10 weeks of treatment with brofaromine (50-150 mg/day) or placebo after a 1-week washout period.
Main Results:
- Brofaromine significantly improved Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) scores compared to placebo (p < 0.016).
- Mean LSAS scores decreased substantially in the brofaromine group (81.8 to 62.6) versus placebo (79.8 to 70.7).
- Adverse events led to early termination for 11 brofaromine patients versus 4 placebo patients; common side effects included insomnia, dizziness, and dry mouth.
Conclusions:
- Brofaromine demonstrates clinical efficacy in treating social phobia.
- The drug is generally well-tolerated, though specific side effects warrant monitoring.
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