Each year, researchers work to develop new and better treatments for panic and anxiety disorders. Scientists and doctors understand the need to find effective medications which cause few side effects but which do not lead to dependence. 1998 saw a number of advances in the use of existing medications to treat anxiety disorders as well as the development of a couple of new medications. If you have been unable to find an effective treatment, keep in touch with current research news. There is always hope.

Two new medications being developed for anxiety disorders made the news in 1998. Pagoclone, a medication developed by the company Interneuron, has been found to reduce panic attacks significantly in people with panic disorder. Pagoclone is known as a "novel GABA receptor modulator." In clinical trials, the medication was "well-tolerated" (low side effects) by patients, with no sedation or withdrawal symptoms. Pagoclone is now in Phase 3 clinical testing, so stay tuned for its availability to the public.

In August, the Neurogen Corporation announced clinical testing of a new anti-anxiety medication. The drug (NGD 91-2) is being tested with patients who have acute anxiety conditions and is being compared with Valium in the clinical trial. NGD 91-2 is said to be "fast-acting" and "non-sedating." Pfizer Inc. is conducting the clinical trials for NGD 91-2.

Most of the news regarding medication used to treat anxiety disorders related to existing medications found by researchers to be effective in treating specific anxiety disorders. In a June meeting of the American Psychiatric Association, researchers presented evidence that the antidepressant Zoloft is an effective treatment for people with panic disorder who have been previously treated with benzodiazepines. Additionally, the researchers found Zoloft to be an effective treatment even for people with severe panic disorder, including those who have developed agoraphobia.

In a July meeting of the Collegium Internationale Neuro-Psychopharmacologicum, researchers presented studies on the use of the antidepressant Effexor to treat generalized anxiety disorder. Both studies found Effexor to significantly improve the symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, and once study found it to be a more effective treatment than Buspar, a medication developed specifically to treat generalized anxiety.

In September, results of a large clinical trial on the use of the antidepressant Paxil to treat social anxiety disorder (social phobia) were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. At the conclusion of the 12-week study, 55 percent of participants who took Paxil showed improvement (as opposed to 24 percent of participants who received a placebo).

A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry in November found the antidepressant Prozac to be an effective treatment for panic disorder. The study demonstrated Prozac to reduce panic symptoms along with anxiety, depression and phobic symptoms.