title: Valproic acid and panic disorder.
abstract: Valproic acid (VA), an anticonvulsant which increases GABAergic transmission was given to patients suffering from recurrent panic attacks. Ten consecutive outpatients were included in this study. After a seven day placebo washout period, patients were given a dose of 500 mg/day, which was gradually increased to a maximum of 2250 mg/day. A significant improvement was found in the symptomatology of patients as measured on the Clinical Global Impression Scale for panic severity (p less than 0.001), the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Anxiety (p less than 0.001) and the panic factor of the SCL-90 (p less than 0.05). These findings support the hypothesis that VA is useful in the treatment of panic disorders. Further research should be carried out to assess its efficacy and safety.
authors.affiliation: Royal Victoria Hospital, Montreal, Quebec.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Primeau
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fontaine
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Beauclair
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005239:Fear / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010200:Panic / Q000187:drug effects*; D012008:Recurrence; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D014635:Valproic Acid