Pharmacotherapy of panic disorder: proposed guidelines for the family physician.

BACKGROUND: Efforts to improve the recognition and treatment of panic disorder in the primary care setting have not resulted in better outcomes. Studies show that even when physicians recognize panic disorder, they do not treat it adequately. Family physicians need specific diagnostic and treatment guidelines when they encounter a patient who has possible panic disorder.
METHODS: Four psychiatrists with expertise in the pharmacotherapy of panic disorder and experience working in the primary care setting reviewed the available treatment literature and developed a consensus treatment algorithm for panic pharmacotherapy in the primary care setting. These proposed guidelines were reviewed for accuracy by 3 additional psychiatric experts and for their applicability to the primary care setting by 2 leading experts on the treatment of mental disorders in primary care.
RESULTS: Guidelines for medication selection, dosing, titration, side-effect management, and maintenance treatment are proposed. Modifications for patients already on psychotropic medication are provided, and indications for psychiatric consultation are specified.
CONCLUSIONS: Panic disorder is a highly treatable condition, and primary care physicians can deliver effective pharmacotherapy if specific guidelines are carefully followed.