Sixty-two anxious patients were treated under double-blind conditions
for 4 weeks with either clorazepate or lorazepam. Two-thirds of each
treatment group were then switched abruptly to placebo for 2 weeks, while
one-third continued to receive active medication. Two major findings were
obtained. About 70% of the patients maintained improvement during the
2-week placebo period. Some patients, however, experienced rebound anxiety,
which appeared to be more intense and occurred earlier when placebo was
substituted for a benzodiazepine with a short half-life (lorazepam) than
for one with a long half-life (clorazepate). The clinical relevance of
these findings is discussed.
Abstract Teaser