Olanzapine augmentation in treatment-resistant panic disorder: a 12-week, fixed-dose, open-label trial

J Clin Psychopharmacol. 2006 Feb;26(1):45-9. doi: 10.1097/01.jcp.0000195108.01898.17.

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.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Agoraphobia / complications
  • Agoraphobia / drug therapy
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Olanzapine
  • Panic Disorder / complications
  • Panic Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Paroxetine / therapeutic use
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Sertraline / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Failure

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Paroxetine
  • Olanzapine
  • Sertraline