title: Safety and side-effects of alprazolam. Controlled study in agoraphobia with panic disorder.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors: Institute of Psychiatry, London.
authors: G H
authors: GH
authors: O'Sullivan
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Noshirvani
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Başoğlu
authors: I M
authors: IM
authors: Marks
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Swinson
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Kuch
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kirby
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003887:Desensitization, Psychologic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D009864:Ontario; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012064:Relaxation Therapy
chemical_list: D000525:Alprazolam