Gepirone and the treatment of panic disorder: an open study.
Gepirone, an azapirone, is a potent 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A (5-HT1A) agonist. We report an uncontrolled 6-week study in 21 patients (4 men, 17 women: mean age, 36.71 years) with a concurrent DSM-III-R diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia. After a 2-week medication-free period, patients were started on 2 mg of gepirone per day increasing over 3 weeks to 12 mg/day. Three patients dropped out in the first week, and one patient violated the protocol. They were therefore excluded from analysis. Two patients who dropped out at weeks 4 and 5 because they found the treatment ineffective were included. Twelve of the 17 patients (70.6%) had at least a 50% reduction in their panic attacks by week 6, and 9 of them had at least a 50% reduction by week 3. Ten patients had "0" panic attacks by week 6 (59%). On the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, 65% had a 50% or greater reduction in total score, mostly beginning in week 1. On Global Assessment, by week 6, 11 were much improved or better (65%). Adverse effects were rare and consisted of stomach upset, dizziness, or headaches. This preliminary study suggests the possible efficacy of gepirone in panic disorder.
Pecknold
J C
JC
Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Verdun, Quebec, Canada.
Luthe
L
L
Scott-Fleury
M H
MH
Jenkins
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D011743:Pyrimidines; C039979:gepirone