The Side Effect Burden Associated With Drug Treatment of Panic Disorder

This article reviews the incidences of side effects in placebo-controlled clinical trials of drugtherapy in patients with panic disorder. We performed a MEDLINE search for placebo-controlledstudies in panic disorder that reported the incidences of side effects, published in English language,peer-reviewed journals between 1992 and 1997. We discuss the side effects experienced by patientsreceiving tricyclic antidepressants, serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors, and benzodiazepines, thedrug classes most commonly prescribed for the treatment of panic disorder. Available evidence suggeststhat, with respect to tolerability, serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors are the most favorabletreatment choice for patients with panic disorder.