Escitalopram and paroxetine in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder: randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.
BACKGROUND
It is uncertain whether higher doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have greater efficacy in generalised anxiety disorder.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of different doses of escitalopram in generalised anxiety disorder.


METHODS
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, parallel-group, 12-week study, with 681 patients: placebo (n=139); escitalopram, 5 mg/day, (n=134); 10 mg/day (n=136); 20 mg/day (n=133); paroxetine, 20 mg/day (n=139).


RESULTS
Mean change in the primary efficacy measure was greater with escitalopram 10 and 20 mg than with placebo; 10 mg was more efficacious than paroxetine. Paroxetine was superior to placebo on some secondary measures, at some time points. Compared with placebo, more patients withdrew because of adverse events with escitalopram 20 mg and paroxetine.


CONCLUSIONS
Escitalopram was efficacious in generalised anxiety disorder, 20 was not significantly superior to 10 mg/day. Escitalopram 10 mg was more efficacious than paroxetine.
Baldwin
David S
DS
Neuroscience Division, School of Medicine, University of Southampton, Royal South Hants Hospital, Graham Road, Southampton SO14 0YG, UK. dsb1@soton.ac.uk
Huusom
Anna Karina Trap
AK
Maehlum
Eli
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015283:Citalopram / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D015283:Citalopram; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors