How does citalopram work on panic disorder?
Answers to key questions from experts here at Lundbeck
The efficacy of citalopram in panic disorder has been evaluated using the Clinical Anxiety Scale (CAS) (ref.1). In an open label, 8-week study in 20 patients with longstanding illness (mean duration 9.7 years), the mean CAS score was significantly reduced after 2 weeks of treatment with citalopram 20 mg/day (ref.2). By week 8, complete freedom from panic attacks, or improvement to minor situational attacks, was reported by 10 of the 17 (59%) patients in the study. The optimal benefit ratio for the treatment of panic disorder was obtained with a citalopram dosage of 20-30 mg/day.
References:
1. Snaith et al. 1986
2. Humble and Wistedt 1992