COMPARISON OF ESCITATOPRAM VERSUS VENLAFAXINE IN PATIENTS WITH PANIC DISORDER

Rizwan Farooq; Aftab Asif; Ali Madeeh Hasmi; Altaf Qadir Khan; Sufia Majeed

doi:10.52229/ajahs.v6i4.1499

Rizwan Farooq Department of Psychiartry and Behavioral Sciences, General Hospital, Lahore
Aftab Asif
Ali Madeeh Hasmi
Altaf Qadir Khan
Sufia Majeed

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52229/ajahs.v6i4.1499

Keywords: HAM-A score, digestive problems, headache

Abstract

Background: The occurrence of unexpected and impulsive Panic Attacks (PAs) is the main characteristic of Panic disorders (PD). Antidepressant drugs like Venlafaxine belong to the serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor class is used mostly in treating PD, but some literature shows that escitalopram is more effective than venlafaxine. However, there is a need to find more effective drugs for PDs. Therefore, we want to conduct this study to find more effective drug.

METHODOLOGY

In this study 80 patients were recruited from Mayo hospital, Lahore. All patients were assessed for Hamilton anxiety through a rating scale based on scores while at enrollment. Patients were randomized into two groups, the allocation of patients was done randomly. In group A, patients were given venlafaxine whereas in group B patients were given escitalopram. Patients were followed-up for 4 weeks in the hospital Out Patient Department (OPD). After 4 weeks, patients were again assessed on HAM-A scoring system and score was noted.

RESULTS: In all cases the mean age was 38.81 ± 11.07 years (38.25 ± 9.85 years in Velax and 39.38 ± 12.27 years in Estar). There were 60(75%) male and 20(25%) female cases, with 3:1 male to female ratio. The mean HAM-A Score at 4^th weeks in Velax group was 18.55 ± 2.50 and in Estar group was 16.26 ± 3.61 with statistically less HAM-A Score in Estar group, p-value < 0.05. The mean % change in HAM-A Score was statistically higher in Estar group (30.35 ± 15.29%) as compared to Velax group (20.83 ± 7.50 %), p-value < 0.05. In Velax groups efficacy was found in 33(82.5%) cases and in Estar group the efficacy was found in 39(97.5%) of the cases, while in 7(17.5%) cases of Velax and 1(2.5%) of cases of Estar group efficacy was not achieved, efficacy was statistically higher in Estar group as compared to Velax group, p-value < 0.05. All complications were statistically same in both groups, p-value > 0.05.

CONCLUSION: Through the findings of this study it is concluded that patients treated with Estar had higher efficacy and more % change in HAM-A Score , p-value < 0.05 while the complication were minimal and were statistically same in both groups.