title: Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of panic disorder: a systematic review of placebo-controlled studies.
abstract: The selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors are widely used in clinical practice in the treatment of panic disorder (PD). This article undertakes an up-to-date, systematic review of the published double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, short-term studies with currently available selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of PD. Sertraline, paroxetine, citalopram, escitalopram, fluoxetine and fluvoxamine have all been proven to be superior to pill-placebo, although the placebo effect has been shown to be extremely important in patients with PD. The authors also explore the anxiolytic mechanism of action of this antidepressant drug class and the preclinical studies that are being developed to clarify the etiopathogenic mechanisms of PD and, more precisely, the role of the serotoninergic system in this pathogenesis. These steps are considered fundamental for the improvement of pharmacological treatment of PD.
authors.affiliation: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, National Institute for Translational Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. marimochco@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Marina Dyskant
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mochcovitch
authors.forename: Antonio Egidio
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Nardi
mesh_terms: D015283:Citalopram / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005473:Fluoxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016666:Fluvoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017374:Paroxetine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015990:Placebo Effect; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020280:Sertraline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015283:Citalopram; D005473:Fluoxetine; D016666:Fluvoxamine; D017374:Paroxetine; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D020280:Sertraline