Journal of clinical psychopharmacology
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J Clin Psychopharmacol · Jun 1984
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialAlprazolam and diazepam in the treatment of generalized anxiety.
In a 4-week double-blind study comparing alprazolam with diazepam treatments, 48 outpatients suffering from mild to moderate generalized anxiety were evaluated after a 5-day placebo washout, and then after 1, 2, and 4 weeks of treatment. The optimal therapeutic doses without excessive sedation averaged 2 mg for alprazolam and 15.8 mg for diazepam. Results from the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Clinical Global Impression Scale, a behavior checklist questionnaire, and a symptomatic patients' self-rating scale indicated that patients improved in both treatment groups. ⋯ Few side effects were reported: mainly, drowsiness, tremor, light- headedness , and dry mouth. A toxic reaction to alprazolam, possibly allergic, was observed. Either alprazolam or diazepam appeared to be effective in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder, and the statistically significant differences between the two drugs were not clinically striking.