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Summary
A double-blind crossover trial was carried out in 21 hospitalised patients suffering from various psychoneurotic conditions to compare the anxiolytic effectiveness of lorazepam and diazepam. Patients were divided into two groups and treated either with 1 mg. or 2.5 mg. lorazepam 2- to 3-times daily, or with 5 mg. or 12.5 mg. diazepam 2- to 3-times daily for a period of 10 days. Dosage levels were determined by the initial severity of symptoms. After a wash-out period of 5 days on placebo, patients were then crossed over on comparable dosage to the alternative drug for a further 10 days. The results, as assessed on the Hamilton Rating Scale for anxiety, showed that although both drugs produced a good or excellent response in all 21 patients, lorazepam gave superior results in nearly all the patients treated, with a prompt and greater percentage remission of symptoms than did diazepam. Mild side-effects were reported in only 3 patients.
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