World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and posttraumatic stress disorders

Abstract

In this report, recommendations for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders are presented, based on available randomized, placebo-or comparator-controlled clinical studies. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the first-line treatment for panic disorder. Tri2-cyclk antidepressants (TCAs) are equally effective, but they are less well tolerated than the SSRIs. In treatment-resistant cases, benzodiazepines like alprazolam may be used when the patient does not have a history of dependency and tolerance. Due to possible serious side effects and interactions with other drugs and food components, the irreversible monamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) phenelzine should be used only when first-line drugs have failed. In generalised anxiety disorder, venlafaxine and SSRIs can be recommended, while buspirone and imipramine may be alternatives. for social phobia, SSRIs are recommended for the first line, and MAOIs, moclobemide and benzodiazepines as second line. Obsessive-compulsive disorder is best treated with SSRIs or clomipramine. © 2002 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved.