Emerging uses for high-potency benzodiazepines in psychotic disorders

The author reviews the role of high-frequency benzodiazepines in the treatment of psychosis. Lorazepam and clonazepam are of established value in controlling acute psychotic agitation and catatonia. These agents have also been shown to be helpful in managing neuroleptic-induced akathisia. Recent data strongly support an adjunctive role for alprazolam in the treatment of neuroleptic-resistant symptoms in a subgroup of chronic schizophrenics. Separate, though overlapping, profiles of clinical efficacy are described for the three currently available agents. Alprazolam is suggested to be useful in depressive psychosis and clonazepam in manic psychosis. Lorazepam is suggested to be without specific "mood-normalizing" effects.