Discontinuation of alprazolam treatment in panic patients

A. J. Fyer; M. R. Liebowitz; J. M. Gorman; R. Campeas; A. Levin; S. O. Davies; D. Goetz; D. F. Klein

doi:10.1176/ajp.144.3.303

Discontinuation of alprazolam treatment in panic patients

A. J. Fyer, M. R. Liebowitz, J. M. Gorman, R. Campeas, A. Levin, S. O. Davies, D. Goetz, D. F. Klein

Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

133 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Alprazolam treatment was tapered in 17 panic patients at a rate of 10% of the starting dose every 3 days. Only four subjects completed withdrawal on schedule (4-5 weeks); four additional subjects discontinued treatment in 7-13 weeks. During withdrawal 15 patients had recurrent or increased panic attacks and nine had significant new withdrawal symptoms. Most common among the latter were malaise, weakness, insomnia, tachycardia, lightheadedness, and dizziness. None had seizures, psychosis, or significant neurological or EEG abnormalities. Results indicate that relapse and withdrawal are important considerations in the choice of alprazolam treatment for panic attacks.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	303-308
Number of pages	6
Journal	American Journal of Psychiatry
Volume	144
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.144.3.303
Publication status	Published - 1987

Funding

Funders	Funder number
National Institute of Mental Health	R01MH033422

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

Psychiatry and Mental health

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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10.1176/ajp.144.3.303

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Fyer, A. J., Liebowitz, M. R., Gorman, J. M., Campeas, R., Levin, A., Davies, S. O., Goetz, D., & Klein, D. F. (1987). Discontinuation of alprazolam treatment in panic patients. American Journal of Psychiatry, 144(3), 303-308. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.144.3.303

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AU - Levin, A.

AU - Davies, S. O.

AU - Goetz, D.

AU - Klein, D. F.

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Discontinuation of alprazolam treatment in panic patients

Abstract

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