Comparison of escitalopram and paroxetine in treatment of panic disorder

AIM To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of escitalopram in treating patients with panic disorder.METHODS Sixty-eight patients with panic disorder were randomized divided into escitalopram group(n = 36) and paroxetine group(n=32).The dosage of escitalopram was 10 mg·d~(-1)(wk 1),15 mg·d~(-1) (wk 2) and 15 - 20 mg·d~(-1)(wk 3) and the dosage of paroxetine was 20 mg·d~(-1)(wk 1),30 mg·d~(-1)(wk 2) and 40 mg·d~(-1)(bid,wk 4).The course of the treatment was eight weeks for each group.All the patients were rated by PASS,HAMA,HAMD-17 and TESS before and after the treatment.RESULTS Thirty-three patients of the escitalopram group and 31 patients of the paroxetine group had completed the treatment.Compared with baseline, the total scores of HAMA and HAMD in the escitalopram group were significantly decreased from the end of week two and one respectively,while those in the paroxetine group were significantly decreased from the end of week four and two respectively(P0.05).The total scores of endpoints had significant differences compared with those of baseline in the two groups(P0.01),and the decreased score of PASS was(9.6±3.8) in escitalopram group and(9.1±3.4) in paroxetine group with significant difference compared with their baseline respectively(P0.01).There were no significant differences between the two groups(P0.05).The cure and effective rates were 85%and 91%in the escitalopram group and 81%and 90%in the paroxetine group respectively at the end of week 8.There were no statistical differences between the two groups in cure and effective rates and adverse reaction rates(P0.05).CONCLUSION Escitalopram in treating patients with panic disorder is reliable,safe and comparable to paroxetine with a faster efficacy.