Lorazepam and diazepam in the treatment of neurotic anxiety: a double-blind trial.

Fifty-eight neurotic patients with intense anxiety were treated with either lorazepam or diazepam in a double blind between-patients trial. Statistical analysis indicated that the two groups were homogeneous before treatment and that the results of treatment were similar for both drugs. According to the global rating of illness week after week, after four weeks of treatment more patients on lorazepam than on diazepam were normal or had mild illness (82.1% vs. 70.8%). In the investigators' judgment, 71.9% of the patients treated with lorazepam had an excellent or good response compared with 56.7+ of those treated with diazepam. The mean reduction in score on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale was 17.7 for lorazepam and 16.5 for diazepam. However, none of the above differences in results were statistically significant. The largest dose of lorazepam required in treatment was 6 mg, compared with 30 mg of diazepam. Two patients treated with lorazepam had side effects, against six with diazepam. Six patients in the diazepam group did not complete the trial, including three who discontinued because of side effects (rash, tremors, agitation); no patients in the lorazepam group dropped out.