[Homeopathic specialties as substitutes for benzodiazepines: double-blind vs. placebo study].
The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of homeopathic drugs Homéogène 46 and Sédatif PC with a placebo as substitute for benzodiazepines in patients treated for at least 3 months with low doses (less than 10 mg/d of diazepam equivalents). A double-blind randomized trial was carried out in general practice. The treatment lasted one month. Several rating scales were used. The main outcome was success/failure defined according to the doctor's clinical judgement and interruption of treatment. A total of 61 patients were randomized, and 19 interrupted their treatment. Comparability between the groups was good. No statistically significant difference between homeopathic drugs and placebo was observed for the main outcome or for the secondary outcomes. The lack of statistical power due to accrual difficulties limits the conclusions of this trial which did not confirm the efficacy of homeopathic drugs in this indication.
Cialdella
P
P
Service de Pharmacologie Clinique (SPC), Faculté RTH Laënnec, rue Guillaume Paradin, BP 8071, 69376 Lyon, France.
Boissel
J P
JP
Belon
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000188:drug therapy*; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006705:Homeopathy; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008419:Materia Medica; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D010919:Placebos; D011725:Pyridines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D000077334:Zolpidem
D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D053961:Azabicyclo Compounds; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008419:Materia Medica; D010879:Piperazines; D010919:Placebos; D011725:Pyridines; C515050:zopiclone; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077334:Zolpidem