Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 26(1):45-49, FEB 2006
DOI: 10.1097/01.jcp.0000195108.01898.17
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PMID: 16415705
Issn Print: 0271-0749
Publication Date: 2006/02/01
Olanzapine Augmentation in Treatment-Resistant Panic Disorder: A 12-Week, Fixed-Dose, Open-Label Trial
Gianna Sepede;Domenico De Berardis;Francesco Gambi;Daniela Campanella;Raffaella La Rovere;Michele D'Amico;Alessandra Cicconetti;Laura Penna;Silvana Peca;Alessandro Carano;Enrico Mancini;Rosa Maria Salerno;Filippo Maria Ferro;
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*Department of Oncology and Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, University "G. D'Annunzio" of Chieti and, †University of Urbino, Italy.
Abstract
The purpose of our study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of low-dose olanzapine augmentation in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-resistant panic disorder (PD) with or without agoraphobia. In this 12-week, open-label study, 31 adult outpatients with treatment-resistant PD who had previously failed to respond to SSRI treatment were treated with fixed dose of olanzapine (5 mg/d) in addition to SSRI. Efficacy was assessed using the Panic Attack and Anticipatory Anxiety Scale (PAAAS), the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF), and the Clinical Global Impression of Improvement (CGI-I). Twenty-six patients completed the trial period with a dropout rate of 16.1%. At week 12, 21 patients were responders (81.8%), and an overall improvement on all rating scales was observed in all patients both with or without agoraphobia. Fifteen patients (57.7%) achieved remission. Olanzapine was well tolerated and the most frequent adverse effects were mild-to-moderate weight gain and drowsiness. No extrapyramidal symptoms were reported. Olanzapine appears to be effective as augmentation strategy in the treatment of SSRI-resistant PD, but study limitations must be considered and placebo-controlled studies are needed.
