Concurrent use of buspirone in anxious patients during withdrawal from alprazolam therapy

A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to determine the safety of concurrently using buspirone with alprazolam before and during a gradual tapering of the alprazolam dose. Thirty-six patients received placebo t.i.d. and 36 received buspirone 5 mg. t.i.d. Findings included significantly greater anxiety (as measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety) in the placebo group and significantly reduced manifestations of abstinence (as measured by the Abstinence Rating Scale) in the buspirone group. Buspirone and alprazolam may be used together safely, and buspirone may be started early in the alprazolam tapering process.