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Media release
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The SAHMRI Clinical Trials Platform is one of 20 sites hosting a nationwide clinical trial now underway to test a potential new treatment for panic disorder, a debilitating anxiety condition that affects around five percent of Australians in their lifetime.
Panic disorder is characterised by sudden and unpredictable panic attacks, often without any obvious trigger. Current medications used to treat the condition can cause a range of side effects and are ineffective for many, driving urgent need for additional treatment options.
24-year-old Adelaide student teacher, Toby Whittle, endured the distress of repeated panic attacks during Covid.
“Panic attacks really impacted my life in 2020. Back then it was like pretty much anything that would give me anxiety, would lead to a panic attack,” Mr Whittle said.
“It feels like going into meltdown. Your body shakes like crazy, and you lose control of your breathing.”
“I avoided a lot of things in life to try to protect against getting any anxiety and ending up having a panic attack.”
The trial is based on assessing a new combination therapy known as HB-1. It combines two existing medications that have been previously approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for other conditions.
Rather than acting on neurotransmitters, like most current panic disorder treatments, HB-1 targets the body’s central stress response system to reduce the physical symptoms, such as elevated heart rate, shaking and dizziness.
General Practitioner and SAHMRI Principal Investigator, Dr Fran Adams, says the aim of the trial is to determine whether HB-1 can effectively calm these symptoms, with fewer side effects.
“Panic disorder can have a devastating impact on a person’s quality of life, and many people find current medications either don’t work well enough or cause intolerable side effects,” Dr Adams said.
“What makes this treatment promising is it targets the body’s physiological stress system in a different way, which could allow for greater relief without the burden of side effects commonly experienced with medications currently on the market.”
The trial is recruiting participants aged 18 to 65, who are diagnosed with panic disorder, or experience regular panic attacks.
SAHMRI Clinical Trials Platform Senior Manager, Emma Heath, says SAHMRI’s involvement reflects its commitment to advancing research that directly benefits the community.
“As one of the trial sites, SAHMRI is proud to help connect South Australians to innovative research that has the potential to change how we treat this condition,” Ms Heath said.
“It’s through the generosity and courage of clinical trial participants that we can assist with making discoveries like this possible.”
For those with firsthand experience like Toby, the drug trial is reason for optimism.
“When you’re having one of these episodes, all you want is to regain control. A medication that could help achieve that would be a step in the right direction,” Mr Whittle said.
For more information and to check if you’re eligible to participate in the trial, visit sahmri.au/Panic.
