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Diazepam, Propranolol and their Combination in the Management of Chronic Anxiety

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

C. Hallstrom ,
I. Treasaden ,
J. Guy Edwards  and
M. Lader
C. Hallstrom
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
I. Treasaden
Affiliation:
University of Southampton Medical School, Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton SO9 4PE
J. Guy Edwards
Affiliation:
Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton SO9 4PE
M. Lader
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Pharmacology, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
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Summary

The therapeutic benefit of combining propranolol with diazepam over either of these drugs given alone was tested in a placebo-controlled crossover study with twenty-four chronically anxious out-patients. The combination was generally more effective than diazepam. Diazepam was more effective than placebo or propranolol. A reduction in the resting pulse rate by propranolol of more than 7.5 beats per minute resulted in a greater therapeutic response to this drug, alone and in combination. Lesser degrees of pathology responded better to treatment. Psychological factors in treatment showed themselves to be important in moderating pharmacological response. Chronically anxious patients generally derived little benefit from continued anti-anxiety treatment.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 139 , Issue 5 , November 1981 , pp. 417 - 421
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1981 

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