Anxiolytics' effects on the actual driving performance of patients and healthy volunteers in a standardized test. An integration of three studies.
Effects of benzodiazepine (diazepam, lorazepam) and benzodiazepine-like anxiolytics (alpidem, suriclone) and a 5-HT-3 antagonist (ondansetron) on actual driving performance were measured in three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies. Subjects were healthy volunteers in two and anxious patients in the third. Treatments lasted for 8 days. Standardized testing occurred within the first full day and on the last day of treatment. No important differences existed between volunteers' and patients' baseline and/or placebo performances and both groups responded similarly to comparable drugs/doses. Benzodiazepine and benzodiazepine-like anxiolytics produced marked and pervasive driving impairment, which lasted throughout treatment; but ondansetron, none.
O'Hanlon
J F
JF
Institute for Human Psychopharmacology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Vermeeren
A
A
Uiterwijk
M M
MM
van Veggel
L M
LM
Swijgman
H F
HF
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001288:Attention / Q000187:drug effects*; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003975:Diazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008140:Lorazepam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009287:Naphthyridines; D017294:Ondansetron / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013457:Sulfur Compounds
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D009287:Naphthyridines; D010879:Piperazines; D011725:Pyridines; D013457:Sulfur Compounds; D017294:Ondansetron; C052036:alpidem; C037283:suriclone; D008140:Lorazepam; D003975:Diazepam