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Paroxetine in social anxiety disorder: a randomized placebo‐controlled study
Author(s) -
Allgulander C.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb10845.x
Subject(s) - paroxetine , placebo , social anxiety , psychology , anxiety , psychiatry , anxiety disorder , randomized controlled trial , clinical psychology , medicine , antidepressant , alternative medicine , pathology
Allgulander C. Paroxetine in social anxiety disorder: a randomized placebo‐controlled study. Acta Psychiatr Scand 1999: 100: 193–198. © Munksgaard 1999. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of paroxetine treatment in social anxiety disorder. Method: Previously undiagnosed and untreated subjects with social anxiety disorder (generalized social phobia) were selected from among responders to a newspaper advertisement. They were randomized to double‐blind treatment with paroxetine 20–50 mg daily or placebo for 3 months. Outcome measures were self‐rated social anxiety and avoidance behaviour, and clinician‐rated global assessment of improvement. Results: Significant differences in efficacy between treatments (intent‐to‐treat analysis: 44 subjects on paroxetine and 48 subjects on placebo) were noted after 4–6 weeks, increasing through the treatment period in the paroxetine group. Nine subjects on paroxetine and 3 subjects on placebo discontinued the treatment due to adverse events. Sexual side‐effects were noted by 18 subjects on paroxetine and 4 subjects on placebo. Conclusion: Paroxetine was effective in alleviating symptoms and avoidance behaviour in social anxiety disorder.