Ritanserin in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders: A placebo-controlled trial

✍ Scribed by E. A. Pangalila-Ratu Langi; A. A. I. Jansen

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1988
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 381 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6222
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.470030309

✦ Synopsis

In a double-blind trial, 22 patients treated with 5 mg b.i.d. of the selective serotonin-S2 antagonist ritanserin for 4 weeks were compared with 26 patients treated with placebo for generalized anxiety disorder (DSM 111: 300.02).

Symptoms were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HARS) and the Visual Analog Mood Rating Scale (Norris, Bond and Lader). Patients were further evaluated by means of a clinical global impression.

At the end of the treatment ritanserin was significantly superior to placebo in its effect on the psychic cluster of the HARS, especially for the items insomnia (already after 1 week of treatment) tension and depressed mood. According to the Mood Rating Scale, the ritanserin-treated patients rated themselves as calmer, more energetic and more relaxed. This significant symptomatic improvement with ritanserin was confirmed by the clinical global impression. As only one side-effect was reported in the ritanserin group versus five in the placebo group, the results suggest that ritanserin provides a novel well-tolerated therapy for outpatients suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. KEY woms-Ritanserin, serotonin &antagonist, anxiety, human, thymosthenic.