The relative efficacy of high-dose buspirone and alprazolam in the treatment of panic disorder: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Abstract

This 8-week double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigated the relative efficacy and safety of alprazolam and buspirone in the treatment of panic disorder. Alprazolam (mean +/- SD dose 5.2 +/- 2.6 mg) produced a rapid and sustained improvement in panic attacks, anxiety, phobias, and disability and was superior to buspirone (mean +/- SD dose 61 +/- 26.5 mg) and placebo on all of these measures on completer (n = 85) and endpoint analysis (n = 92). Although higher doses of buspirone were used in this study than in previous trials, buspirone was not superior to placebo on any of the outcome measures. The results were disappointing in light of buspirone's benign side effect profile and low abuse potential.

• Authors: D V Sheehan, A B Raj, K Harnett-Sheehan, S Soto, E Knapp
• Journal: Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica (Acta Psychiatr Scand) Vol. 88 Issue 1 Pg. 1-11 (Jul 1993) ISSN: 0001-690X [Print] United States
• PMID: 8372689 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Placebos
• Benzodiazepines
• Buspirone
• Alprazolam

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Alprazolam (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Benzodiazepines (therapeutic use)
• Buspirone (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Comorbidity
• Depressive Disorder (complications, drug therapy)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Panic Disorder (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Placebos
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Treatment Outcome