Alprazolam premedication and 35% carbon dioxide vulnerability in panic patients.

Author(s): Pols H, Verburg K, Hauzer R, Meijer J, Griez E

Affiliation(s): Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, State University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Publication date & source: 1996-11-01, Biol Psychiatry., 40(9):913-7.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

A group of 20 patients who met the DSM-III-R criteria for panic disorder with or without agoraphobia underwent a 35% carbon dioxide (CO2) challenge after either 1 mg alprazolam or placebo in a double-blind, randomized, cross-over design. Despite the anxiolytic potential of alprazolam, it produced no significant effects on CO2-induced anxiety and panic symptomatology when compared to placebo.