Etizolam versus placebo in the treatment of panic disorder with agoraphobia: a double-blind study

• Published in: Current medical research and opinion Vol. 12; no. 3; p. 185
• Main Authors: Savoldi, F, Somenzini, G, Ecari, U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 1990
• Subjects: Adult; Agoraphobia - diagnosis; Agoraphobia - drug therapy; Chronic Disease; Diazepam - administration & dosage; Diazepam - adverse effects; Diazepam - analogs & derivatives; Diazepam - therapeutic use; Double-Blind Method; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Panic; Tranquilizing Agents - administration & dosage; Tranquilizing Agents - adverse effects; Tranquilizing Agents - therapeutic use
• ISSN: 0300-7995
• DOI: 10.1185/03007999009111500

Thirty out-patients suffering from panic disorders associated with agoraphobia were enrolled in a double-blind, controlled trial to compare the effectiveness and tolerability of etizolam and placebo. After a 1-week washout period on placebo, patients were allocated at random to receive twice daily doses of either 0.5 mg etizolam or placebo over a period of 4 weeks. Assessments, made at baseline and after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, used the Hamilton Rating Scales for Anxiety and for Depression, the Covi Anxiety Scale, and determination of the weekly panic crises frequency. The results showed that etizolam produced significant improvements in chronic anxiety, phobic ideas, associated depressive symptoms and episodic anxiety, and was significantly more effective than placebo. Etizolam treatment was generally well tolerated and was not significantly different from placebo in this respect.