Mirtazapine in generalized social anxiety disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

This study is aimed at investigating the efficacy and tolerability of mirtazapine in a generalized social anxiety disorder. Sixty patients with generalized social anxiety disorder were randomly allocated to receive mirtazapine (30-45 mg/day) (n= 30) or placebo (n= 30) for 12 weeks in a double-blind study design. Primary efficacy was assessed by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and response to treatment was defined as a reduction of 40% on the LSAS and an improvement on the Clinical Global Impression scale of 'much or very much improved'. An intent-to-treat analysis showed no difference between mirtazapine and placebo on the absolute LSAS scores with a mean decrease of 13.5 +/- 16.9 and 11.2 +/- 17.8 respectively, and on the number of responders, 13 and 13%, respectively. In conclusion, mirtazapine (30-45 mg/day) failed to be effective in the generalized social anxiety disorder.

• Authors: Sara I J Schutters, Harold J G M Van Megen, Jantien Frederieke Van Veen, Damiaan A J P Denys, Herman G M Westenberg
• Journal: International clinical psychopharmacology (Int Clin Psychopharmacol) Vol. 25 Issue 5 Pg. 302-4 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1473-5857 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 20715300 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
• Mianserin
• Mirtazapine

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Anxiety Disorders (drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Mianserin (administration & dosage, adverse effects, analogs & derivatives, therapeutic use)
• Middle Aged
• Mirtazapine
• Phobic Disorders (drug therapy)
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult