title: Pharmacotherapy of social anxiety disorder.
abstract: A range of medications have been shown effective for the treatment of social anxiety disorder. The largest trials to date have been with various selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Several of these agents have been registered for the treatment of social anxiety disorder with agencies such as the FDA or EMEA, meta-analyses confirm their efficacy and safety, and expert consensus guidelines have often recommended them as a first-line pharmacotherapy of choice. Despite such advances, there are many unanswered questions in the pharmacotherapy of social anxiety disorder, including the optimal pharmacotherapy of patients refractory to first-line intervention, and the optimal sequencing of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Translational research has already had an impact on concepts of treatment, and may ultimately lead to novel interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, University of Cape Town, J-Block, Groote Schuur Hospital, Anzio Rd, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa. keithganasen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Keith A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Ganasen
authors.forename: Dan J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Stein
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors