Anxiety therapy in the neoplastic patient

Summary

A clinical study was carried out in 73 neoplastic patients suffering from anxiety and other emotional upsets to assess the effectiveness and tolerance of lorazepam. Patients were given individualised daily doses ranging from 1.5 mg to 3 mg lorazepam for 15 to 60 days. Results, as assessed by the response of anxiety, tension, erethism and insomnia, showed that only 4 (5%) patients failed to obtain some relief There was complete disappearance of all symptoms in 29 (40%) after 15 days, relief of at least one major symptom and reduction in the others in 27 (37%), and slight reduction in one or more symptoms in 13 (18%) patients. Side-effects were minimal and disappeared within a few days with continued treatment.

Key Words::

• Lorazepam
• tranquillising agents
• neoplasms
• neuroses
• anxiety