Premium
Anxiolytic effect of hydroxyzine: a double‐blind trial versus placebo and buspirone
Author(s) -
Lader Malcolm
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.461
H-Index - 78
eISSN - 1099-1077
pISSN - 0885-6222
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1077(199908)14:1+<s94::aid-hup123>3.0.co;2-k
Subject(s) - hydroxyzine , buspirone , anxiolytic , placebo , double blind , medicine , anesthesia , pharmacology , psychology , anxiety , psychiatry , alternative medicine , receptor , pathology , agonist
Benzodiazepines have major drawbacks including lessening of anxiolytic effect in long‐term use, impairment of psychological functioning, problems on discontinuation, and addiction potential. Alternatives have been sought including the antihistamines such as hydroxyzine. Two studies are described, one comparing hydroxyzine 50 mg/day with placebo in GAD patients. Significant advantages were found for the active drug. The second GAD evaluation compared hydroxyzine 50 mg/day, buspirone 20 mg/day, and placebo. Hydroxyzine was significantly superior to placebo with buspirone intermediate. Adverse effects were minor and transient. It is concluded that hydroxyzine may prove a useful and safer alternative to the benzodiazepines. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.