jmo - As with any SSRI-like antidepressant, when starting or increasing the dose, one usually sees an increase in the number and frequency of anxiety and panic attacks. This is due to the medication causing an increase in serotonin to which your body must adjust. This is not so common with an dose increase as it is when starting an medication that increase the amount of serotonin available to the brain.

The increase in panic attacks and anxiety should abate within a week, two weeks at the very most. Hang in there.

I hope that this is of some help. - Cam