Evaluation of Clonazepam and Paroxetine for Panic Disorder With Depression
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2005-06-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The purpose of this study is to examine the safety and effectiveness of the drug combination
paroxetine and clonazepam in treating people with panic disorder (PD) and major depression.
The main goal in treating people with PD is to rapidly reduce symptom severity and improve
functioning. While numerous drug therapies have been used to treat PD, these treatments are
limited by variable response rates and suboptimal side effect profiles. Evidence suggests
that clonazepam given with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) can facilitate a
rapid reduction in PD symptoms. However, it is unclear whether comorbid depression influences
treatment response to the clonazepam and SSRI regimen. This study will examine whether
combined treatment with clonazepam and the SSRI paroxetine will accelerate clinical response
in participants with PD and comorbid depression. This study will also examine whether the
benefits of treatment will be sustained until the end of the study despite tapering of
clonazepam at the midpoint of the study.
Participants in this study will be screened with medical and psychiatric interviews, a
physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood tests. Participants will then be
randomly assigned to receive either paroxetine plus clonazepam or paroxetine plus placebo (an
inactive pill) for 12 weeks. Participants will have weekly clinic visits during which
symptoms and drug side effects will be checked and an interview to evaluate panic disorder
and depression symptoms will be conducted.