Paroxetine efficacy in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder.
Recently, there has been a renewed interest in alternatives to the benzodiazepines for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of paroxetine vs. imipramine and 2'-chlordesmethyldiazepam in 81 patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of GAD. Approximately two-thirds of the patients who completed the study improved greatly or moderately on all three active drugs. During the first 2 weeks of treatment, 2'-chlordesmethyldiazepam treatment resulted in the greatest improvement in anxiety ratings. Both paroxetine and imipramine treatment resulted in more improvement than 2'-chlordesmethyldiazepam by the fourth week of treatment. Paroxetine and imipramine affect predominantly psychic symptoms, whereas 2'-chlordesmethyldiazepam affects predominantly somatic symptoms. Our results suggest that paroxetine is effective for the treatment of GAD.
Rocca
P
P
Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Italy.
Fonzo
V
V
Scotta
M
M
Zanalda
E
E
Ravizza
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D003708:Nordazepam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D017374:Paroxetine; D003708:Nordazepam; C013434:chlordesmethyldiazepam; D007099:Imipramine