Abstract
In order to compare the efficacy and safety of tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines in panic disorder, with or without agoraphobia, two studies were carried out comparing clomipramine with alprazolam sustained release (SR) or with adinazolam SR. Two hundred and fifty-seven patients received alprazolam SR (2–6 mg/day given in two divided daily doses) or clomipramine (50–150 mg/day given in two divided daily doses) for 12 weeks in a single-blind, randomised, multicentre study and 347 patients received adinazolam SR (30–90 mg/day given in two divided daily doses) or clomipramine (50–150 mg/day given in two divided daily doses) for 24 weeks in a double-blind, randomised, multicentre study. Both benzodiazepines showed an earlier onset of therapeutic efficacy than clomipramine. At the end of the treatment periods, however, clomipramine was equally as effective as alprazolam SR and more effective than adinazolam SR. Withdrawal problems were also somewhat less common with clomipramine than with alprazolam SR and adinazolam SR. Both benzodiazepines were clearly better tolerated than clomipramine. The rate of premature withdrawal was also notably higher with clomipramine than with alprazolam SR. In conclusion, the benzodiazepines alprazolam and adinazolam SR are better tolerated than the tricyclic antidepressant clomipramine in the treatment of panic disorder, but have no advantages in terms of efficacy. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Published Version
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