ClinicalTrials.gg
Not yet recruitingNCT05737511Updated Feb 21, 2023

Efficacy of Hydroxyzine for Patients With Panic Disorder

A Phase 4 interventional study of Hydroxyzine and Escitalopram Oxalate in Panic Disorder, sponsored by Sultan Qaboos University. Not yet recruiting. Open to participants aged 19 Years to 60 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2023-02-21.

Sponsored by Sultan Qaboos University · Phase 4, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
80
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
19 Years to 60 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of hydroxyzine compared to treatment as usual (TAU) for patients with panic disorder. By conducting a pilot study, we hope to provide initial data on the feasibility and potential impact of hydroxyzine for this population. This will inform the design and power calculations of a larger, more comprehensive study in the future.

Objectives:

To assess the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of hydroxyzine for panic disorder.

To evaluate the effectiveness of hydroxyzine compared to TAU in reducing panic symptoms in patients with panic disorder.

To explore the potential side effects and tolerability of hydroxyzine in this population.

Methods:

This will be a single-center, open-label, randomized pilot study. A total of 30 patients with a primary diagnosis of panic disorder will be recruited from a psychiatric outpatient clinic. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either hydroxyzine or TAU for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measure will be the change in panic symptoms as assessed by the Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS). Secondary outcome measures will include the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) scale. Participants will be assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. Adverse events will be monitored throughout the study.

Expected Results:

This pilot study is expected to provide preliminary data on the feasibility and potential efficacy of hydroxyzine for panic disorder. The results will inform the design of a larger RCT to further evaluate the efficacy of hydroxyzine for this population.

Significance:

There is a need for effective and well-tolerated treatments for panic disorder. If found to be effective, hydroxyzine could provide a new option for patients with this condition, potentially improving their quality of life and functioning. The results of this pilot study will inform the design of future studies and contribute to the development of evidence-based treatments for panic disorder.

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Conditions studied

  • Panic Disorder

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03

In context

Panic Disorder

270 studies on the registry are indexed under Panic Disorder; 37 are open to participants now.

This study's planned enrollment of 80 is close to the median of 77 across 215 interventional studies indexed under Panic Disorder.

Browse Panic Disorder studies →

Lead sponsor

Sultan Qaboos University is the lead sponsor of 50 studies on the registry; 20 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
19 Years to 60 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • The study will recruit adult patients (18 years and older)
  • Confirmed diagnosis of the panic disorder according to the (DSM-5).
  • Participants will be included if they have had at least one panic attack per week for the last four weeks,
  • Have not received any pharmacological treatment for panic disorder in the past four weeks,
  • Willing to discontinue any current benzodiazepine or SSRI treatment for the duration of the study.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria:

  • Current substance abuse or dependence,
  • Medical diseases
  • Psychiatric comorbidities,
  • Pregnancy or lactation.
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

DSM diagnostic criteria

The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.

05

Study design

Phase
Phase 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
80 participants (estimated)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    Hydroxyzine

    Hydroxyzine (25 mg/day) for eight weeks, the dose of hydroxyzine may be adjusted based on tolerability and clinical judgment, max 100mg/day

    Drug: Hydroxyzine

  • Active comparator
    Treatment as Usual

    Treatment as usual includes the currently approved treatment according to CANMAT and Muadesly guidelines

    Drug: Escitalopram Oxalate

Interventions

  • Oral tablet of hydroxyzine 25mg at night which could be increased to TID or QID

    Also known as: Atarax, Vistaril

  • The treatment as usual can include first-line, second-line and third-line recommendations

    Also known as: citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine, paroxetine CR, sertraline, venlafaxine XR,, Alprazolam, clomipramine, clonazepam, diazepam, imipramine, lorazepam, mirtazapine, reboxetine, Bupropion SR, divalproex, duloxetine, gabapentin, levetiracetam, milnacipran, moclobemide, olanzapine, phenelzine, quetiapine, risperidone, tranylcypromine

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) Mean Score

    The primary outcome measure will be the change in panic disorder severity as measured by the PDSS, which will be completed at baseline, week 4, and week 8. The Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS) is a self report scale that measures the severity of panic attacks and panic disorder symptoms. It is appropriate for use with adolescents (13+) and adults. The scale is a useful way of assessing overall panic disorder severity at baseline, and it provides a profile of severity of the different panic disorder symptoms. It is a good monitoring tool because it is brief and sensitive to change, and can be used to track symptoms over time. The scale consists of seven items, each rated on a 5-point scale. The items assess panic frequency, distress during panic, panic-focused anticipatory anxiety, phobic avoidance of situations, phobic avoidance of physical sensations, impairment in work functioning, and impairment in social functioning.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) Mean Score

    The secondary outcome measure will be the change in clinical global impression as measured by the CGI, which will be completed at baseline, week 4, and week 8

    Time frame: 8 weeks

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Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

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References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Yes

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Feb 21, 2023, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT05737511
Lead sponsor
Sultan Qaboos University
Responsible party
Mohammed Al Alawi (Principal Investigator, Dr Mohmmed Al Alawi Bsc, MD,PhD, MRCPsych, OMSBPsych, ARABPsych, Sultan Qaboos University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Feb 21, 2023
Start date
Dec 30, 2023 (estimated)
Primary completion
Dec 30, 2026 (estimated)
Completion
Dec 30, 2026 (estimated)
Last update
Feb 21, 2023

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

Not currently enrolling

This study is not yet recruiting, as verified in Feb 2023. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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Studies of the drug tested here: Hydroxyzine

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