title: Mirtazapine in generalized social anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: This study is aimed at investigating the efficacy and tolerability of mirtazapine in a generalized social anxiety disorder. Sixty patients with generalized social anxiety disorder were randomly allocated to receive mirtazapine (30-45 mg/day) (n= 30) or placebo (n= 30) for 12 weeks in a double-blind study design. Primary efficacy was assessed by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and response to treatment was defined as a reduction of 40% on the LSAS and an improvement on the Clinical Global Impression scale of 'much or very much improved'. An intent-to-treat analysis showed no difference between mirtazapine and placebo on the absolute LSAS scores with a mean decrease of 13.5 +/- 16.9 and 11.2 +/- 17.8 respectively, and on the number of responders, 13 and 13%, respectively. In conclusion, mirtazapine (30-45 mg/day) failed to be effective in the generalized social anxiety disorder.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Centre Utrecht, The Netherlands. s.schutters@sp.unimaas.nl
authors: Sara I J
authors: SI
authors: Schutters
authors: Harold J G M
authors: HJ
authors: Van Megen
authors: Jantien Frederieke
authors: JF
authors: Van Veen
authors: Damiaan A J P
authors: DA
authors: Denys
authors: Herman G M
authors: HG
authors: Westenberg
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008803:Mianserin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078785:Mirtazapine; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D008803:Mianserin; D000078785:Mirtazapine