[The anxiolytic action of phenoxypropanolamine derivatives in comparison with propranolol, diazepam and placebo]

The hypothesis that the phenoxypropanolamine derivative CGP 361 A possesses anxiolytic activity was examined in 80 female healthy volunteers. Each volunteer received the treatment under double-blind conditions as part of a 1-way analysis of variance design. The medication factor had 4 levels (CGP 361 A, propranolol, diazepam and placebo). Stress was induced by asking subjects to deliver a free speech in front of a video camera. The anxiety was measured using adjectives list, state-trait-anxiety inventory and visual analogue scales. The physiological equivalents observed were pulse rate and skin resistance. The results support the hypothesis that a single dose of 10 mg CGP 361 A has a higher anxiolytic effect than 10 mg propranolol, 5 mg diazepam and placebo, with the peripheral beta-blocking effects (established by pulse rate) being no stronger than with propranolol. No subjective or objective sedation has been determined under the different drug conditions.