Comparison of alprazolam, imipramine, and placebo in the treatment of depression
J. P. Feighner, G. C. Aden, L. F. Fabre, K. Rickels and W. T. Smith
Alprazolam is the first of the triazolobenzodiazepines to be studied in a
large population of depressed patients. In a six-week, double-blind
multicenter comparison of alprazolam, imipramine hydrochloride, and placebo
in the treatment of 723 patients with depression, the two active drugs were
statistically more effective than placebo. Alprazolam was at least as
effective as imipramine in relieving depressive symptoms, significantly
more effective in relieving somatic symptoms, and showed an earlier onset
of activity in some measurements. Anticholinergic side effects were
reported most often by patients receiving imipramine, while drowsiness was
the only side effect reported most often in the alprazolam group. The
Feighner Diagnostic Criteria and prestudy and poststudy intercenter
conferences with videotaped patient interviews ensured interrater
reliability.
