A Double-blind, Randomized, Prospective Study to Evaluate Adjunctive Risperidone Versus Adjunctive Placebo in Generalized Anxiety Disorder Sub-optimally Responsive to Standard Psychotropic Therapy

Many patients with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) do not benefit or show only partial benefit from current psychotropic therapies. This trial was conducted for the purpose of determining the effectiveness of risperidone as an adjunctive treatment in patients with GAD who demonstrate a less-than-optimal response to their current anxiolytic treatment (either allowed antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or buspirone, or combination). Patients were randomized (patients are assigned different treatments based on chance) to either risperidone or placebo for 4 - 6 weeks of double-blind (neither the patient nor the physician knows whether drug or placebo is being taken, or at what dosage) treatment. Patients randomized to risperidone continued on their current anxiolytic treatment (treatment for anxiety) and received risperidone 0.25 mg per day for the first 3 days, 0.5 mg per day for days 4 through 14, and 1 mg per day for days 15 through 28 of the trial. If clinically indicated, on day 29, the dose could be increased to 2 mg per day for the rest of the trial (4 to 6 additional weeks). At each dose level, risperidone was taken by mouth in a single daily dose. Patients were asked questions every one or two weeks, depending on the phase of the trial, to determine efficacy (effectiveness) and safety. The study hypothesis is that risperidone will be more effective as an adjunct to standard psychotropic treatments for symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder than placebo, as measured by a composite of the four most troubling symptoms identified at baseline. Risperidone 0.25 mg per day for the first 3 days, 0.5 mg per day for days 4 through 14, and 1 mg per day for days 15 through 28 of the trial. If clinically indicated, on day 29, the dose could be increased to 2 mg per day for the rest of the trial (4 to 6 additional weeks). At each dose level, risperidone was taken by mouth in a single daily dose.