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Comparison of Buspirone and Diazepam in Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Author(s) -
Jacobson Alan F.,
Dominguez Roberto A.,
Goldstein Burton J.,
Steinbook Richard M.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1985.tb03430.x
Subject(s) - buspirone , diazepam , anxiety , generalized anxiety disorder , randomized controlled trial , medicine , anxiety disorder , psychology , adverse effect , anesthesia , psychiatry , receptor , agonist
A total of 66 outpatients meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM‐III) criteria for generalized anxiety disorder began treatment in a randomized double‐blind study that compared the efficacy and safety of buspirone and diazepam. Thirty‐nine outpatients completed the 4‐week trial. Both drugs were administered in a 1:1 dosage ratio; the daily prescribed dose did not exceed 40 mg. The mean daily dose of buspirone prescribed thoughout the study was significantly higher than that of diazepam. Diazepam had a significantly earlier onset of efficacy than buspirone, although both drugs were equivalent after 4 weeks of treatment. Adverse reactions were more frequent in the diazepam group. Total scores from the Hamilton anxiety scale and physician's global ratings show that diazepam was significantly superior to buspirone during the initial 2 weeks of treatment. These findings are further corroborated by the results of patients' self‐rated scales.