Antidepressants in Panic Disorder

Antidepressants have been used to treat patients with panic disorder almost since these drugs werefirst introduced. Tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), serotonin selectivereuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and other antidepressants have all been studied, with varying results,in patients with panic disorder. The MAOIs are believed by some clinicians to be the most potent antipanicagents, but their considerable side effects limit their use. The tricyclic antidepressants imipramineand clomipramine are well established in treating panic disorder, although today many clinicianschoose an SSRI as their first-line agent. Data supporting this clinical preference for SSRIs are justnow becoming available.