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Ritanserin in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders: A placebo‐controlled trial
Author(s) -
PangalilaRatu Langi E. A.,
Jansen A. A. I.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/hup.470030309
Subject(s) - ritanserin , placebo , hamilton anxiety rating scale , clinical global impression , psychology , anxiety , mood , rating scale , psychiatry , antagonist , medicine , receptor antagonist , receptor , alternative medicine , pathology , developmental psychology
In a double‐blind trial, 22 patients treated with 5 mg b.i.d. of the selective serotonin‐S 2 antagonist ritanserin for 4 weeks were compared with 26 patients treated with placebo for generalized anxiety disorder (DSM III: 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.