Randomized, double-blind study of SR142801 (Osanetant). A novel neurokinin-3 (NK3) receptor antagonist in panic disorder with pre- and posttreatment cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4) challenges.

OBJECTIVE

The present study was designed to examine the efficacy and tolerability of the non-peptide neurokinin-3 (NK3) receptor antagonist SR142801 in outpatients suffering from panic disorder.

METHODS

In a pilot study, 52 patients who were responders to a cholecystokinin tetrapeptide (CCK-4) challenge were randomized to four weeks of treatment with SR142801 (n = 36) or placebo (n = 16). Panic symptoms were assessed on weekly visits and a second CCK-4 challenge was performed at the end of the double-blind placebo controlled treatment period. Tolerability of SR142801 was generally good.

RESULTS

The proportion of patients who had at least one adverse event (AE) in the SR142801 group and the placebo group was similar (58.3 and 50 %, respectively). Independent of treatment group, patients' overall panic symptomatology was substantially improved at the end of the treatment.

CONCLUSION

With regard to efficacy of outcome, the compound was not significantly different from placebo. However, post-CCK-4 plasma prolactin concentrations showed a significant difference between placebo and SR142801.