title: The potential role of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of panic disorder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many studies have investigated the efficacy and tolerability of alternative pharmacotherapy for panic disorder. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the existing literature regarding the efficacy and tolerability of atypical antipsychotics for panic disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched for relevant published articles using Medline, the Cochrane database, and EMBASE on 19 June 2013. Prospective studies that examined the efficacy and tolerability of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of primary panic disorder or comorbid panic disorder (or symptoms) in other psychiatric disorders were included in this review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven prospective studies were included in this review. Among these, four were open-label studies for refractory panic disorder. Two of the seven included studies were randomized controlled trials among patients with panic symptoms comorbid with bipolar disorder. The remaining study was a randomized controlled trial for panic disorder or panic attack comorbid with major depression. Except one negative risperidone study, the reviewed studies showed the favorable efficacy results of atypical antipsychotics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the majority of the evidence regarding the efficacy of atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of panic disorder comes from small, open-label studies, this review suggests the potential role of atypical antipsychotics in treating panic disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Ryung
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Young Sup
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.forename: Won-Myong
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Bahk
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000150:complications; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents
keywords: atypical antipsychotics; efficacy; panic disorder; tolerability