Treatment of panic disorder and agoraphobia with clonazepam.
Clonazepam, a high-potency benzodiazepine marketed for the treatment of minor motor epilepsy, was used to treat 50 patients with panic disorder (N = 22) or agoraphobia with panic attacks (N = 28). Of the 50 patients, 41 had previously been poorly responsive to standard pharmacologic therapies. At a mean dose of only 1.9 (+/- 1.0) mg/day, 39 patients (78%) responded. No serious adverse effects were encountered. This study, although retrospective and uncontrolled, suggests that clonazepam, like alprazolam, may be effective in blocking panic attacks. A possible common mechanism for the two drugs as high-potency benzodiazepines is discussed.
Spier
S A
SA
Tesar
G E
GE
Rosenbaum
J F
JF
Woods
S W
SW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000525:Alprazolam; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001570:Benzodiazepinones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002998:Clonazepam / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010200:Panic; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D001570:Benzodiazepinones; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D002998:Clonazepam; D000525:Alprazolam