Brofaromine in panic disorder: a pilot study with a new reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase-A.

The therapeutic efficacy of brofaromine--a new reversible and short acting MAO-A inhibitor--was evaluated in 14 inpatients with a panic disorder. In an open trial, the patients were treated with placebo during the first week and with 150 mg brofaromine per day during the following four weeks. In all patients a distinct improvement in both anxiety and depressive symptoms was observed under the active drug. Treatment outcome was the same in patients with and without a concomitant major depressive episode. No side-effects of any note were reported. Our findings suggest that the MAO-A inhibitor brofaromine is an effective drug in the treatment of anxiety disorders.