Imipramine in the treatment of social phobia

We report the results of an 8-week open trial of imipramine in 15 patients with social phobia. Nine patients completed the trial; six dropped out early because of adverse effects. The mean reduction in the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale was 15% and 18% for the intent-to-treat and completer groups, respectively; the overall response rate (based on the Clinical Global Impression Scale of 1 or 2, very much or much improved) was 20% (3/15) and 22% (2/9), respectively. The results from this open trial do not support the efficacy of imipramine as a treatment for social phobia.