Open label study of alprazolam in severely depressed inpatients

Severely depressed inpatients received alprazolam in doses adjustable from 1.5 mg to 5.0 mg/day. Half of the 26 patients improved with greater than or equal to 50% reduction on the Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression or had a final total score of 8 or less. Patient response to treatment over the 6-week study was associated with marked improvement during the first week.