A double-blind evaluation of the safety and efficacy of abecarnil, alprazolam, and placebo in outpatients with generalized anxiety disorder. Abecarnil Work Group.
In a placebo-controlled, multicenter study, 180 male and female outpatients, ages 18-65, with DSM-III-R generalized anxiety disorder, were treated with abecarnil (a partial benzodiazepine agonist), alprazolam, or placebo for 4 weeks. This was followed by a rapid (1-week) taper, during which patients were assessed for any taper-related symptoms. All patients were identified via a structured clinical interview for DSM-III-R and randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups. More than 70% of each treatment group completed the study. In the acute-treatment phase, both abecarnil and alprazolam showed evidence for efficacy that was significantly better than that of placebo. Both active agents were tolerated well. After the swift taper, a significantly greater number of taper-related symptoms occurred in the alprazolam-treated group than in the abecarnil-treated group, which was not different than in the placebo-treated group. Additionally, less residual improvement followed the taper in the alprazolam-treated and the placebo-treated groups. These data indicate that the partial benzodiazepine agonist abecarnil may be useful as a safe, effective, short-term treatment for anxiety. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Lydiard
R B
RB
Institute of Psychiatry, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
Ballenger
J C
JC
Rickels
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000525:Alprazolam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002243:Carbolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts; D010919:Placebos; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D002243:Carbolines; D010919:Placebos; C062769:abecarnil; D000525:Alprazolam