Double-blind comparison of alprazolam and adinazolam for panic and phobic disorders

Subjects primarily suffering from DSM-III panic disorders (agoraphobia with panic attacks, 13 subjects; panic disorder, one subject) were tested with two drug treatments after a baseline was established using single-blind placebo capsules three times daily for 1 week. Double-blind, 4-week crossover treatments were given with alprazolam, 0.5-6.0 mg/day, and adinazolam mesylate, 10-120 mg/day. Mean final doses in mg/day were 3.1 for alprazolam and 95.5 for adinazolam mesylate. Both were broadly effective in comparison with the baseline condition. Measures included self-rated symptoms and global impressions, physician-rated global impressions, and two forms of challenges, agoraphobic and noradrenergic. The two active drugs were highly similar in overall efficacy across the sample, but alprazolam was favored globally in six subjects, and adinazolam was favored globally in another six subjects. Only two subjects obtained maximal improvement ratings without side effects with both drugs. No diagnostic or demographic factor correlated with the differential in responses to the two active treatments. No clinically significant laboratory abnormalities occurred with either drug.