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Safety and Side-effects of Alprazolam Controlled Study in Agoraphobia with Panic Disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

G. H. O'Sullivan ,
H. Noshirvani ,
M. Basoglu ,
I. M. Marks ,
R. Swinson ,
K. Kuch  and
M. Kirby
G. H. O'Sullivan*
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
H. Noshirvani
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
M. Basoglu
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
I. M. Marks
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, London
R. Swinson
Affiliation:
Toronto General Hospital and University of Toronto, Canada
K. Kuch
Affiliation:
Toronto General Hospital and University of Toronto, Canada
M. Kirby
Affiliation:
Toronto General Hospital and University of Toronto, Canada
*
Dr G. H. O'Sullivan, MOST, 5 Camberwell Church Street, London SE5 8QU
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Extract

Background

The widespread use of benzodiazepines has led to increasing recognition of their unwanted effects. The efficacy of alprazolam and placebo in panic disorder with agoraphobia, and the side-effect and adverse effect profiles of both drug groups were measured.

Method

In London and Toronto 154 patients who met DSM–III criteria for panic disorder with agoraphobia were randomised to alprazolam or placebo. Subjects in each drug group also received either exposure or relaxation. Treatment was from weeks 0 to 8 and was then tapered from weeks 8 to 16.

Results

Mean alprazolam dose was 5 mg daily. Compared with placebo subjects, alprazolam patients developed more adverse reactions (21 % v. 0%) of depression, enuresis, disinhibition and aggression; and more side-effects, particularly sedation, irritability, impaired memory, weight loss and ataxia. Side-effects tended to diminish during treatment but remained significant at week 8. Despite this, the drop-out rate was low.

Conclusions

Alprazolam caused side-effects and adverse effects during treatment but many patients were willing to accept these.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 165 , Issue 1 , July 1994 , pp. 79 - 86
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1994 

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