Paroxetine augmentation in patients with generalised social anxiety disorder, non-responsive to mirtazapine or placebo

✍ Scribed by Sara I. J. Schutters; Harold J. G. M. van Megen; J. Frederieke Van Veen; Koen R. J. Schruers; Herman G. M. Westenberg

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 69 KB
• Volume: 26
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6222
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.1165

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of the study was to investigate if combination of mirtazapine with paroxetine causes a greater therapeutic effect and less sexual side effects than paroxetine monotherapy in social anxiety disorder (SAD).

Methods

Twenty one patients with generalised SAD, non‐responsive to a 12 week trial with mirtazapine and 22 patients, non‐responsive to placebo received paroxetine (20–40 mg) in addition to their double‐blind treatment with mirtazapine or placebo for another 12 weeks. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and the Clinical Global Impression‐Improvement (CGI‐I) scale were used to measure efficacy. Sexual functioning was assessed by the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX).

Results

Both treatments showed a significant LSAS reduction and their response rates (based on LSAS reduction ≥ 40% and CGI‐I ≤ 2) were similar (paroxetine and mirtazapine: 52.4%, paroxetine and placebo: 59.1%). Sexual dysfunction (based on ASEX ≥ 19) was found in half of patients treated with paroxetine and placebo, and in 38% of patients treated with paroxetine and mirtazapine.

Conclusion

The present study did not find support for a greater efficacy of combination pharmacotherapy in SAD, however results suggest that combination of paroxetine with mirtazapine might cause less sexual dysfunction than treatment with paroxetine alone. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.