Alprazolam, a new type anxiolytic in neurotic patients. A pilot study

Alprazolam is a new type triazolobenzodiazepine anxiolytic agent. 115 neurotic patients were treated with alprazolam for 4 weeks in an open label study. The daily dose of alprazolam ranged from 0.4 to 3.2 mg (average: 1.4 mg). 73% of the subjects experienced a slight to remarkable improvement. A particularly high improvement rate was observed in patients with initially severe sleep disturbances. No serious side effects were noted. Comparative characteristics of neurotic patients with insomnia (insomnia neurotic patients) were investigated and the validity of the PNRS-D (Psychoneurotic Rating Scale developed by the authors) in comparison with the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale is discussed.