Escitalopram and paroxetine in the treatment of generalised anxiety disorder: randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

It is uncertain whether higher doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have greater efficacy in generalised anxiety disorder.

AIMS:

To assess the efficacy of different doses of escitalopram in generalised anxiety disorder.

METHOD:

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, parallel-group, 12-week study, with 681 patients: placebo (n=139); escitalopram, 5 mg/day, (n=134); 10 mg/day (n=136); 20 mg/day (n=133); paroxetine, 20 mg/day (n=139).

RESULTS:

Mean change in the primary efficacy measure was greater with escitalopram 10 and 20 mg than with placebo; 10 mg was more efficacious than paroxetine. Paroxetine was superior to placebo on some secondary measures, at some time points. Compared with placebo, more patients withdrew because of adverse events with escitalopram 20 mg and paroxetine.

CONCLUSIONS:

Escitalopram was efficacious in generalised anxiety disorder, 20 was not significantly superior to 10 mg/day. Escitalopram 10 mg was more efficacious than paroxetine.

• Authors: David S Baldwin, Anna Karina Trap Huusom, Eli Maehlum
• Journal: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science (Br J Psychiatry) Vol. 189 Pg. 264-72 (Sep 2006) ISSN: 0007-1250 [Print] England
• PMID: 16946363 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Citalopram
• Paroxetine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Anxiety Disorders (drug therapy)
• Citalopram (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Paroxetine (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Treatment Outcome