[The efficacy of alprazolam in the therapy of panic disorders]

22 patients with panic disorder (diagnosis according to ICD-10) were treated with alprazolam (monotherapy) in a dose of 1-2,5 mg/daily during 6 weeks. Disappearance of panic attacks was observed in 59% of cases while in 27% of patients they arose more rarely. The drug's antipanic action was revealed during second week of treatment. The side-effects were typical for benzodiazepine preparations. No one patient refused of drug administration in connection with side-effects development. Prognostically unfavourable signs were found: the high frequency of panic attacks, the presence of atypical marked permanent symptoms in attack structure, as well as the steady vegetative disturbances presence.