Controlled comparison of the efficacy and safety of four doses of suriclone, diazepam, and placebo in generalized anxiety disorder.
The anxiolytic activity and tolerance of four doses of suriclone (0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4 mg tid), diazepam (5 mg tid), and placebo were compared in six parallel groups of 54-59 outpatients with generalized anxiety disorder (DSM III-R). After a 1-week placebo run-in period, the patients were treated for 4 weeks, with assessments at baseline and after 1, 2, and 4 weeks by the Hamilton anxiety scale and the Clinical Global Impressions. Results showed better improvement with active drugs as compared to placebo, without significant differences among the four different doses of suriclone and diazepam. The number of adverse events, particularly drowsiness, was significantly higher with diazepam than with suriclone, particularly 0.1 and 0.2 mg tid which did not differ from placebo. These results demonstrate that suriclone at daily doses ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 mg tid is an effective anxiolytic, better tolerated than diazepam.
Ansseau
M
M
Psychiatric Unit, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium.
Olié
J P
JP
von Frenckell
R
R
Jourdain
G
G
Stehle
B
B
Guillet
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009287:Naphthyridines; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013457:Sulfur Compounds
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D009287:Naphthyridines; D010879:Piperazines; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; C037283:suriclone; D003975:Diazepam