title: Comparative efficacy of alprazolam, imipramine, and placebo administered once a day in treating depressed patients.
abstract: Ninety-eight outpatients with major depressive disorder were treated with alprazolam, imipramine, or placebo in a 6-week, double-blind study. Average doses were 3.67 mg of alprazolam and 167 mg of imipramine, given at bedtime. Fifty percent of patients taking alprazolam, 38.2% taking imipramine, and 17.7% receiving placebo improved their HAM-D scores by more than 50%. Eight patients on imipramine, 6 on alprazolam, and 1 on placebo dropped out because of side effects. The most common side effects for imipramine were tachycardia, constipation, light-headedness, and sedation; common side effects of alprazolam were light-headedness, sedation, and unsteadiness.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mendels
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Schless
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000525:Alprazolam; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004244:Dizziness / Q000139:chemically induced; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010919:Placebos; D012894:Sleep Stages
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D010919:Placebos; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D007099:Imipramine; D000525:Alprazolam