W. George Case

Brotizolam, a triazolothienodiazepine, in insomnia.

Sixty‐three outpatients with chronic insomnia were treated for 3 weeks under double‐blind conditions with either brotizolam (n = 29) at a dose of 0.25 mg or 0.5 mg or placebo (n = 34). A 3‐day placebo period preceded and followed the double‐blind treatment phase. Brotizolam consistently produced significantly more sleep improvement than placebo but also more adverse effects. In those patients switched abruptly from brotizolam to placebo, rebound insomnia was observed, being most marked at the first post‐brotizolam placebo night.

Trazodone in depressed outpatients

The authors compared the nontricyclic antidepressant trazodone with amitriptyline and placebo in a double-blind study of 202 unipolar depressed outpatients. Trazodones clinical efficacy was similar to that of amitriptyline, with both active drugs producing significantly more clinical improvement than placebo. The incidence of anticholinergic side effects was lower for the patients taking trazodone than for those taking amitriptyline.

Benzoctamine and Chlordiazepoxide in Anxiety: Some Predictors of Improvement

A multiple regression search analysis was conducted with 76 anxious outpatients treated in a 4 week clinical trial with either benzoctamine 60 mg/day or chlordiazepoxide 60 mg/day. Better response was predicted: For benzoctamine, in patients who are less educated, have an adequate occupational adjustment, and are initially higher in anxiety. For chlordiazepoxide, in patients who are more educated and have a marginal occupational adjustment. For both drugs, in patients who are black, are diagnosed as anxious rather than anxious-depressed, and are higher in initial depression. A major factor accounting for the differential effectiveness predicted for these 2 anti-anxiety agents was felt to be the large number of sedative side effects reported by patients receiving benzoctamine 60 mg/day.