Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and benzodiazepines in panic disorder: A meta-analysis of common side effects in acute treatment

Benzodiazepines (BZs) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are effective in the pharmacologic treatment of panic disorder (PD). However, treatment guidelines favor SSRIs over BZs based on the belief that BZs are associated with more adverse effects than SSRIs. This belief, however, is currently supported only by opinion and anecdotes.The aim of this review and meta-analysis was to determine if there truly is evidence that BZs...