Oehrberg, 1995 Paroxetine in the treatment of panic disorder. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

[Altostrata]

ADMIN NOTE This paper is of interest because in Haddad, 2001 Antidepressant discontinuation syndromes., Dr. Haddad describes Oehrberg, et al., 1995:

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Oehrber et al.[28] investigated the incidence of paroxetine discontinuation symptoms in an extension to a 12-week double-blind placebo-controlled efficacy study in patients with panic disorder. At the end of the study paroxetine was abruptly switched to placebo. Adverse events were detected by observation, spontaneous reports or in response to an open question.

The incidence of new adverse events during the 2 weeks following paroxetine termination was 34.5% (n = 19/55) compared with 13.5% (n = 7/52) for those stopping placebo. The most common symptom was dizziness.

 

 

 

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Br J Psychiatry. 1995 Sep;167(3):374-9.

Paroxetine in the treatment of panic disorder. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Oehrberg S1, Christiansen PE, Behnke K, Borup AL, Severin B, Soegaard J, Calberg H, Judge R, Ohrstrom JK, Manniche PM.

 

Abstract at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7496647

 

BACKGROUND:

This study compared the efficacy and tolerability of paroxetine with placebo in the treatment of panic disorder.

 

METHOD:

After three weeks of placebo, patients received 12 weeks of treatment with paroxetine (20, 40, or 60 mg) or placebo, and finally two weeks of placebo. Dosages were adjusted according to efficacy and tolerability. Standardised cognitive therapy was given to all patients. The primary measure of outcome was reduction in the number of panic attacks.

 

RESULTS:

Analysis of the results showed statistically significant differences in favour of paroxetine between the two treatment groups in two out of the three primary measures of outcome, i.e. 50% reduction in total number of panic attacks and number of panic attacks reduced to one or zero over the study period. For the third measure of outcome, the mean change in the total number of attacks from baseline, there was a positive trend in favour of paroxetine. The results of the primary measures of outcome were strongly supported by the results of the secondary efficacy measures of outcome. In addition, paroxetine, at all doses, was very well tolerated.

 

CONCLUSION:

Paroxetine plus cognitive therapy was significantly more effective than placebo plus cognitive therapy in the treatment of panic disorder.