title: Gauging the effectiveness of extended imipramine treatment for panic disorder with agoraphobia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Imipramine has proven efficacy for panic disorder. This study assesses the net effectiveness of systematic, open imipramine treatment in a homogenous sample of panic disorder patients with agoraphobia.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and ten consecutive patients with DSM-III-R moderate to severe panic disorder with agoraphobia were treated with a fixed regimen of imipramine 2.25 mg/kg/day for 24 weeks. No instructions or encouragement for self-directed exposure to phobic situations or other coping strategies with panic or fear were given. Assessments were conducted at the end of the 2-week placebo run-in and at weeks 8, 16, and 24 of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 53% had a marked and stable response. Most measures revealed that substantial improvement continued beyond week 8 of treatment. Treatment success was accompanied with significant improvements in anxiety sensitivity, dysphoric mood, and functional well-being.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results provide a clinically relevant reference with which to compare the effectiveness of alternative treatments in providing nearly complete symptom remission in patients with primary panic disorder with agoraphobia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, USA.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Mavissakalian
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Perel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Talbott-Green
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sloan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D007099:Imipramine